MMA legend Dustin Poirier has compared Ukrainian welterweight fighter Yaroslav Amosov to the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. He made the comments during a session of the UFC-linked “Deep Waters” podcast on Paramount+. Even more, Poirier makes a bold prediction about Amosov’s future in his UFC career.
Amosov debuted in the UFC last year, and has made some remarkable strides since joining. For instance, he recorded a massive submission win over respected veteran Neil Magny during his debut. His distinctive stats are unsurprising to many, however, especially with his previous records.
Amosov was one of the best fighters in the now-defunct Bellator MMA, winning a welterweight championship there once. He also picked up a regional circuit win before signing with the UFC.
Dustin Poirier’s bold UFC prediction about Yaroslav Amosov amidst Khabib comparison
Amosov’s decent debut win over Magny in the UFC garnered so much acclaim in the UFC world. It earned him a No. 14 ranking in the UFC welterweight division, announcing his fierce prospects to future foes and fans. His strides also captivated “The Diamond”, who boldly compares Amosov to the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion in history, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“If there’s a prop line somewhere on who’s gonna be the future welterweight champion, if you could find the line for Amosov, he’s gonna be a world champion… He’s the closest thing to Khabib that I’ve ever felt. His grappling is the closest thing to Khabib that I’ve ever felt.”
Considering that Poirier and the 32-year-old train together at American Top Team, his comments may hold some water. Besides, Amosov’s career stats are no mean feat. He boasts a 29-1 record with 21 finishes, citing himself among the game’s hot talents at the moment. Moreover, no one could sweep his 2021 triumph over Douglas Lima to clinch Bellator MMA’s welterweight title under the carpet. Lima wore a proud tag of being one of the world’s best non-UFC welterweights at the time.
Amosov didn’t stop at that. He followed up with a successful title defense against Logan Storley, another top-class non-UFC fighter. Amosov eventually lost it to Jason Jackson in what turned out to be his last Bellator MMA outing. While some pundits may consider Poirier’s Khabib comparison a little far-fetched, chances are higher that Amosov is a future UFC champion.
