"I am Khabib's Kryptonite. You all know it. It's the elephant in the room," Eddie Alvarez, a former UFC title holder, said during an Instagram live session after UFC 223. "I'm the guy in the lightweight division, the only guy that can beat Khabib. Everyone knows it," the athlete added.
UFC 223 took place on Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where Nurmagomedov fought against Al Iaquinta and defeated him.
Now, Nurmagomedov reportedly plans to take a month-long break and return later in the year, with Alvarez ready to use Khabib's absence for his own good.
"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," Alvarez said.
Social media users have vividly reacted to the former UFC lightweight champion's remarks.
Most Twitter users doubted that Alvarez is ready to outdo the Russian champion.
Others, however, believe that this would be a good fight.
Nurmagomedov, a Makhachkala native, is undefeated, currently holding one of the longest winning streaks in MMA, with 26 wins.