With a fight between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former two-division champion Conor McGregor likely “building” towards fruition, later this year, “The Eagle” is confident that he will follow up on his promise to humble McGregor.
Speaking to Sport24.ru (translated by Bloody Elbow) recently, Nurmagomedov said though he doesn’t know in what round it will happen, he will “destroy” McGregor when they fight.
“In what round will I be able to knock McGregor out?” Nurmagomedov asked. “I do not know, and no one can know this. I’m going to destroy him.”
Undefeated in 26 professional fights and sporting some of MMA’s best grappling, Nurmagomedov is seen as one of the most difficult style match-ups in the lightweight division for McGregor. Similarly, McGregor’s elite striking and knockout power seem to pose the greatest threat to Nurmagomedov’s undefeated streak. The dichotomy between the two, both in their fighting styles and in their personalities, presents potentially one of the best rivalries in MMA history should the fight ever happen. But though things appear to be working towards a lightweight superfight, Nurmagomedov cautions that it’s still far from a done deal.
“I do not yet know who my opponent will be,” Nurmagomedov said. “The fight will likely take place in Las Vegas. I want to fight McGregor; the fans are also waiting for this fight. I hope that Conor wants this fight. He talked a lot but for some reason, as soon as it came down to real negotiations about the fight, he fell silent.”
Nurmagomedov has said that he is targeting his first title defense for September or October, most likely as the main event for UFC 228 or UFC 229. McGregor still has no set return date for the cage but will return to court on July 26 to enter a plea for the charges of assault and criminal mischief that are pending against him.
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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Picking a fight.
Very good case for @ketlenvieiraufc being up for the title next, but if she's not (and looking for a fight) I will happily take her out to earn my spot. This fight would be awesome for the fans. @Mickmaynard2 @SuckerPunchEnt @ufc https://t.co/1NpcBKQpC6
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 19, 2018
Unhappy.
Officially we were being told by the ufc the man who calls himself the alligator has been neutered @JacareMMA has declined to fight in his Homeland.
— David Branch (@DavidcBranchMMA) June 19, 2018
Beef.
You’re the one who disappeared once I showed up you pussy. #pitbitch https://t.co/d3AQI3euHC
— Peter Queally (@peterqueally) June 19, 2018
I’ve already said I’ll knock you out if you have the courage to step in the cage, but you don’t. I’m here ready to change your life, get you a job as my punching bag, yet all you want is to hang on Conor’s balls and tweet. So good luck with that. https://t.co/oyCUkjZZuR
— Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) June 19, 2018
Trash talk.
Her Asso is Grasso. #UFCLincoln #WarOverkill https://t.co/j94RSCeI9d
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) June 20, 2018
Taking all comers.
As the great @ChaelSonnen said,
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartsmith) June 19, 2018
“Send anyone you want. But don’t send anyone that you want back”
To anyone willing to come to my backyard and face all of #huskernation and i... come on if you’re comin ♂️ #UFCLincoln https://t.co/MSMZTckEru
Latest entrant into the MMA podcast game.
Tecia hates playing cards.
Jacked up knee.
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) June 19, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Alexa Grasso (10-2) vs. Angela Hill (8-4); UFC Lincoln, Aug. 25.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2004: Pride Critical Countdown 2004 took place, featuring two of the most iconic slams in MMA history, the Randleplex and the Arona-bomb. Quinton Jackson knocked our Ricardo Arona with a devastating powerbomb and Fedor Emelianenko submitted Kevin Randleman after being suplexed on his head like a small child. Both were awesome.
2015: Joanna Jedrzejczyk successfully defended her UFC strawweight title with third-round TKO of Jessica Penne at UFC Fight Night 69.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There is no fight in MMA I’d more like to see than Khabib vs. Conor. They are perfect foils for one another in every aspect. If we don’t get it, we are all missing out.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
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