Former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez: I am Khabib’s kryptonite, you all know it

Throughout his UFC run that began in 2012, current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been able to get through all of his opponents, so far. On Saturday night atUFC 223, “The Eagle” extended his undefeated record to 26-0, after defeating Al Iaquinta to become the 155-pound titleholder.

Having an undefeated record at MMA’s elite level is definitely unprecedented, which makes Khabib’s accomplishments more notable. Naturally, other fighters are looking to put a blemish on his win-loss slate, and one of the most confident ones who believe he would be able to do it is former champion, Eddie Alvarez.

“I am Khabib’s Kryptonite. You all know it. It’s the elephant in the room,” Alvarez said via an Instagram live session right after UFC 223 (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I’m the guy in the lightweight division, the only guy, that can beat Khabib. Everyone knows it.

“He can run to Georges St-Pierre or run to Conor McGregor or run to whoever, I’m the guy. I’m the guy to put that ‘1’ in that loss column.”

Khabib is planning to make a return later in the year, as he plans to take some time off for a month-long practice of Ramadan from mid-May to mid-June. Alvarez, on the other hand, is planning to take advantage of his absence.

“I will be gunning for the lightweight championship belt,” Alvarez said. “Khabib’s gonna take some time off, I believe, for prayer and reflection. I don’t know where that leaves me but I’m gonna sit down with the UFC and let them know, I’m the guy to dethrone this man, I’m the guy to give him his loss. I beat champions, that’s what I thrive on. I love belts. I love collecting them. I love beating champions.”

“Khabib is king – temporarily,” he added. “Everything is temporary. Let ‘The Underground King’ do it one more time and get that belt back.”

Alvarez last saw action at UFC 218 in early December, where he knocked out Justin Gaethjein the third round. Both men also bagged $50,000 for Fight of the Night honors.