Last month, Khabib’s father passed away, triggering a wave of speculation about the future of the lightweight champion. Not long after, Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, floated the idea that “The Eagle” may look to fulfill his father’s wishes by fighting twice more to get to 30-0 in his career and then retire. The idea of a final fight for Nurmagomedov inevitably shifted to a superfight with former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre as it’s a fight Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, wanted for his son for a long time, and UFC President Dana White seems amenable to the idea. And while Khabib has not confirmed that he will be retiring after two more fights, he has made it clear that he’s very interested in the GSP fight, should he get past Justin Gaethje.
“Regarding Georges St-Pierre, that fight really inspires me,” Khabib said at a recent press conference in Moscow (video and translation courtesy of RT Sport).” It was my father’s dream fight. But time passes, Georges St-Pierre will be 40 next year. I think he has to decide whether we’ll fight or not. I want that fight. If I beat Justin in October, then fight St-Pierre in April before Ramadan, that would be ideal.
“Dana told me after this fight they’ll talk to St-Pierre. If he agrees, we’ll fight. Both I and the UFC want that to happen.”
Things are slightly more complicated than just booking the fight though. St-Pierre retired from the sport last year, in part because the UFC would not honor his and Khabib’s wishes to fight each other. Since then, GSP has hinted at a possible return if the Khabib fight was put on the table, however, he has also made it clear he’s happy in retirement. Not to mention that a return for St-Pierre would require him to rejoin the USADA testing pool for at least six months. With UFC 254 taking place on Oct. 24, and Ramandan beginning April 12 next year, that would mean St-Pierre would need to re-enter the USADA testing pool before UFC 254 even takes place to fit Nurmagomedov’s timeline. But if the stars don’t align for a fight with St-Pierre, Khabib has a backup plan, and one that could even get Conor McGregor the rematch he’s been after.
“If I don’t fight St-Pierre, I’d fight anyone who beats Dustin Poirier next, whether it’s Tony Ferguson or McGregor, after I fight Gaethje,” Khabib said. “That’s if I don’t fight Georges St-Pierre. If he comes back to the UFC and agrees to fight me, I’m fighting him. Why? Because the last time he lost was 2007. My career started in 2008. Together we’ve been undefeated for 25 years. I’m talking in terms of time, not fights. I don’t think the UFC will get another chance to make a fight like that, definitely not in the next 10 years.
“So Georges St-Pierre is next. If not, let Conor beat Poirier, or have Tony beat him, then I’ll fight them. Why? Because right now Poirier is the next contender. We already fought and I beat him, then he came back and beat a top-five guy. So if Conor and Tony beat Poirier, I’ll fight them if I don’t fight Georges St-Pierre.”
Khabib submitted Poirier this past September at UFC 242 to retain his lightweight title. Since then, Poirier rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Dan Hooker in a Fight of the Year contender. McGregor himself rebounded from his submission loss to Nurmagomedov with a first-round KO of Donald Cerrone in January but has since “retired” from MMA. A clash between the two has been rumored as a potential title eliminator bout, as has a fight between former interim champion Tony Ferguson and Poirier. Either would make the winner a clear-cut No. 1 contender for the lightweight title.
But first things first, Khabib must fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Earlier this month, the lightweight champion sent an ominous message to Gaethje ahead of their bout, saying he will “take him to he deepest ocean and drown him.” Gaethje, in turn, revealed that he plans to create “a zone of death” in front of him during their fight. But despite the brutal messages being exchanged before the fight, Khabib actually says that unlike with some previous opponents, he has no issues with Gaethje at all.
“I have no ill will towards him,” Khabib said. “He fights, wants to be the best in the world, and I respect his efforts. He achieved a lot in this sport and I think he’s a worthy opponent. You saw what he did to Tony Ferguson. I don’t underestimate him. It’s strictly professional. We’ll get in the cage, shake hands, handle our business, and leave.”
[h=1]MUST-READ STORIES[/h] Shocker. Jon Jones vacates UFC light heavyweight title, teases potential future at heavyweight.
Retirement. Daniel Cormier shares first statement following loss at UFC 252: ‘Been a helluva ride’.
Passing. Khabib Nurmagomedov addresses loss of his father, potential retirement.
Praise. Dana White praises Daniel Cormier, calls him ‘the best to work with’.
Underdog. Stipe Miocic opens as underdog in potential bouts with Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h] Jon Jones reaction video.
Road to Bellator 244.
Cerrone training camp.
Free fights.
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h] The Co-Main Event. Discussing the fallout from UFC 252.
Anik & Florian. Recapping UFC 252 and previewing this weekend’s card.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h] Stipe.
View this post on Instagram
Have to take a minute to address some very special people, my fellow first responders and the men and women serving our country. Every time I step into that octagon, I carry you with me. The love you showed from all over the world this week was unbelievable! Nothing but love and gratitude for all of you.. stay safe, God bless! #SM #firefighter
A post shared by Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) on Aug 17, 2020 at 11:38am PDT
Leverage.
Well...that’s settles that... pic.twitter.com/tDFOlePWP2
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 17, 2020
Imagine thinking Jon Jones should move up and no get an immediate title shot.— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 17, 2020
Much more excited for Bones Jones to fight at HWT than Light Heavy. Give him Derek Lewis 1st then title shot.
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 18, 2020
Gray Maynard on UFC pay.— Funky (@Benaskren) August 18, 2020
The only reason Jorge got to renegotiate a one fight deal (probably) and now he’s probably back to his old contract. Is because the ufc needed him. With COVID and the fact they had to produce a decent main event is the only way he would have ever got paid. UFC doesn’t pay https://t.co/LtxdpU234x
— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) August 17, 2020
This is an incredible exchange.— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) August 17, 2020
I always wanted to eat and not cut weight . LHW
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 17, 2020
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 17, 2020
Then mf big bruh
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) August 17, 2020
The struggle is real.— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) August 17, 2020
Life is crazy, was in the ufc from 20 years old to 27 and going from that to a normal life is crazy..... job hunting sucks.
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) August 18, 2020
This is a weird thing but I guess kinda cool?— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) August 18, 2020
Dosbrak with a tribute to Abdulmanap.
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“Everything - what I have - I have because of my father.” • “I think if my father is not my coach, maybe I am different guy, maybe I never come to UFC, But my father everytime push me all my life.” - Khabib . • Print @dosbrak_auction and bio. • #AbdulmanapNurmagomedov #khabibnurmagomedov @khabib_nurmagomedov.
A post shared by DOSBRAK ?? (@dosbrak) on Aug 17, 2020 at 1:34pm PDT
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h] Edson Barboza (20-9) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (11-1); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 10.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h] Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.
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