Dustin Poirier replaces Khabib at top of UFC lightweight rankings ahead of Conor McGregor trilogy bout
DUSTIN POIRIER is officially the highest-ranked lightweight in the world following Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement from mixed martial arts.
Nurmagomedov, 32, confirmed his intention to stick to his retirement - which he announced after beating Justin Gaethje last October - earlier this week.
The UFC have moved quickly to fill the void left by the Russian, booking a title fight between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira.
Additionally, the promotion have also removed their former lightweight king from the rankings - making the No.1-ranked Poirier the top 155-pounder in the world.
The , shared the latest lightweight rankings on Saturday afternoon.
Poirier's new status as the best lightweight on the planet comes ahead of his trilogy fight with former two-division champion Conor McGregor.
The former interim lightweight champion shocked the world at UFC 257 in January by scoring a second-round KO victory over The Notorious.
A rubber match between the pair is in the works for the summer.
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The UFC had hoped to book the series decider for May but are now looking to stage the fight in July.
Fan favourite Poirier got the better of McGregor with the use of debilitating calf kicks, which drastically hindered the UFC's poster boy's movement.
But the pride of Louisiana is expecting the Irishman to have a better handle on the crippling kicks in their next meeting.
DIFFERENT FIGHT
When asked if he reckons he has Mystic Mac's number, Poirier told UFC commentator Joe Rogan: "It's fighting, man.
"I don't think you ever really have [someone's number].
"He'll make adjustments and it'll be a completely different fight.
"Like the first one and the second was different, the third one is gonna be different as well."
Poirier intends to enter the blockbuster fight with a different approach, adding: "I'm gonna make adjustments as well.
"I've gotta switch it up, keep things fresh and keep him guessing."
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McGregor, 32, is champing at the bit to share the octagon with The Diamond again and is looking forward to settling their rivalry once and for all.
He recently wrote on Instagram; "One a piece now with a trilogy bout for all the marbles! Wow! Exciting!
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“Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be.
“This is exactly how this was always meant to be! Buzzing!!”