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Khabib Nurmagomedov recently returned to action after a year off, demolishing Edson Barboza at UFC 219 and re-inserting himself into the lightweight title picture currently muddied by Conor McGregor’s mercurial ways. After his win, Nurmagomedov said he wanted to fight three times in 2018, and even suggested he would fight McGregor and interim champion Tony Ferguson on the same night if the UFC would let him. That isn’t likely to happen, but if McGregor does finally decide to defend his title, Nurmagomedov has another plan already lined up: a fight with former lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez.
Nurmagomedov’s father and trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, recently spoke with MatchTV.ru, saying that if Khabib wouldn’t be fighting McGregor or Ferguson next, a bout with Alvarez makes sense.
“I think that Conor, Diaz, and Ferguson, instead of fighting with Khabib, will be better off against each other 30 times,” Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov said. . . “If Conor and Ferguson fight among themselves, give us Alvarez. He said that he was preparing Barboza for Khabib. Well, let’s see, let him go himself now.”
Alvarez is a training partner of Edson Barboza and coming off of a a Fight of the Year contender win over Justin Gaethje. Ranked second and third in the division respectively, a fight between Nurmagomedov and Alvarez would make sense if both McGregor and Ferguson are otherwise occupied. It also might allow Nurmagomedov to get back into action before Ramadan starts, a key point for him as the holy month will keep him out of action during a portion of the summer, says his father.
“If in the first third of Ramadan, then this is normal: Khabib will not begin to weaken,” said Abdulmanap. “In fact, eight days before the fight, when he makes weight, he already eats little and eats less than in Ramadan after sunset. Until May 22, we are ready to take the fight.”
But what if McGregor, Ferguson, and Alvarez are all not interested in a fight early this year? After his very successful weight-cut for UFC 219, Nurmagomedov said that he could make the drop down to 145 pounds with his new regimen. Would a move down to featherweight to take on someone like Max Holloway or Jose Aldo interest Nurmagomedov? No, says his father.
“As for the 66kg [145 pounds], we were never interested in fighters in that weight,” said Abdulmanap. “Neither Holloway nor Aldo. If people in the 70 kg division [155 pounds] cannot get out from under Khabib, do you think that someone in 66 kg can do it? Holloway is small.”
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VIDEO STEW
After the MMA Beat.
Woodley jokes that he’ll pay a nutritionist to keep Khabib from coming up to welterweight.
Amanda Nunes interview.
More technique tips.
LISTEN UP
The MMA Beat. Discussing Cris Cyborg, John McCarthy, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Talking Brawls. Javier Mendes joins and talks about AKA and Cain Velasquez.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Crazy situation.
Someone just broke into my house, stole all my housemates stuff, trashed the whole place, stole clothes and shoes from me
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) January 11, 2018
Wtf man.
They also kicked our cat and smashed his rib cage and it has pushed his intestines up into his chest cavity.
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) January 11, 2018
He has to have surgery and we don’t know what’s going to happen yet https://t.co/lqlY8d4efH
VEGAS. MY HOUSE JUST GOT BROKEN INTO
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) January 11, 2018
They kicked our cat and he has to be put down.
Tvs, guitars, dvds, POP, video games.
At least 3 people, one small female with her hair in a bun, reddish-blonde and two men. One white sedan and possibly a gray truck with them.
THANK YOU to everyone who RT my cat and robbery post.
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) January 12, 2018
Fox5 Vegas got involved and now the police are launching a full investigation. $30k+ worth of stuff stolen and a beloved pet gone.
Stuff doesn’t matter, I just want to see them punished for what they did to poor Dwight
DC has zero chill.
Savage post @volkan_oezdemir but since no one knows or follows you I’ll send it out to the public. 3000 likes for such a good post seems like a waste. quick point tho you’re no Jon Jones and I’m no jimmy Manuwa. And I’m a lot better than Kelly Amunson #tapmachine #bum #ufc220 pic.twitter.com/pvGpoHLE2F
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 12, 2018
And Volkan’s post.
Beef.
You better accept the fight with me it’s an opportunity of a lifetime you have don’t be Dam. I’m offering you a job take it and don’t complain boy, it will be just 1 round of beating. Be smart boy, because u won’t have rematch with nobody u r 0-3
— Manel Prodígio Kape (@ManelKape) January 11, 2018
Hahahah shut up u fuckin pipsqueak I got bigger fish to fry, you do nothing for my career! Who the fuck is Manel Kape, keep beating up fly weights you don’t want these problems
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
stupid bitch !
— Manel Prodígio Kape (@ManelKape) January 11, 2018
Hey @JohnnyBoyMMA wanna get breakfast with me?........I bought u matching pajamas lol hahaha pic.twitter.com/2THxIwlBu0
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
— Manel Prodígio Kape (@ManelKape) January 11, 2018
Just understand that you’re WACK as FUCK ur no Connor McGregor you’re no crazy horse your shit talk is weak and you fight like a teenager my next fight is with Otsuka so sit down and wait patiently hoe
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
You got wrestle fucked and submitted by the karate kid you muppet
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
You got wrestle fucked and submitted by the karate kid you muppet
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
Hahahaha @SB_RENA has bigger balls than you she didn’t tap she just went
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
want to talk about my jiu-jitsu ?? @BrMassami @RizeUpPodcast @rizin_PR @abirchakMMA ????????? pic.twitter.com/thlObiquBk
— Manel Prodígio Kape (@ManelKape) January 11, 2018
Don’t get too excited this jiu jitsu Tournament is in Angola I’m sure. That’s like saying you’re the best Jamaican Ice skater lol
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 11, 2018
Even more.
I’m a king in Japan, I decide who I wanna whoop ass next. So Shut the f**k up and don’t reply anymore. #pussy
— Manel Prodígio Kape (@ManelKape) January 10, 2018
Hahaha you’re too tiny little peanut head! Eat some more pudding before you call out someone like me, stay at 125s or get choked like the little bitch u are, I’ll deal with u after I get my Otsuka rematch pic.twitter.com/xndMOEmC4D
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) January 10, 2018
The Tiny respect that I had from u guys as a fighter I don’t have any more... U guys are such a pussy oh my God ♂️ @Unclecreepymma u should be ashamed of ur self u Bum. Anthony let me whoop ur ass and then I’ll give the rematch to this dickhead friend of yours !!
— Manel Prodígio Kape (@ManelKape) January 11, 2018
Well I’ve never had respect for trash like you. Since I’m a bum , then fight me again. It’s easy money right? https://t.co/27qkdzqixt
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 11, 2018
You hit like a bitch. You had to win with luck! Put your $ where you big mouth is and let’s do it again. You talk to much. You much be scared. https://t.co/GWaSrAMrnd
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 11, 2018
Miesha Tate stays repping for her girl.
I don’t think anybody is really ready for Cyborg but she needs contenders, it’s either @DandoisCindy or @Amanda_Leoa that stand the best odds against the unformidable Cyborg https://t.co/qu5EgLMN09
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) January 11, 2018
Something new and different.
I hear if you pick #Tyquil in the new @ufc 3 game, you spend almost a year finding different ways to duck fights and make a joke of the division. @EASPORTS... It’s in the game! @TWooodley pic.twitter.com/HEmJkXPrPT
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 11, 2018
That’s one tough picture.
Boss Logic.
The official @Reebok champ series shirt for my boy @BlessedMMA pic.twitter.com/PVOjloAhqa
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) January 12, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2013: Strikeforce held its final event before merging with the UFC, Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. The main event that evening saw Tarec Saffiedine win a unanimous decision over Nate Marquardt to claim the welterweight title.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The first fight weekend of the year is finally upon us. I hope everyone enjoys the fights and see y’all on Monday.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who wins the main event this weekend?
This poll is closed
-
45%
Jeremy Stephens
(605 votes) -
53%
Doo Ho Choi
(704 votes) -
1%
Draw/No Contest
(19 votes)
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