Khabib Nurmagomedov is still ready to welcome Georges St-Pierre back to the Octagon if he wants to return from retirement.
Following a dominant win over Dustin Poirier on Saturday at UFC 242, the undefeated Russian was once again asked about his dream fight against the former two-division champion.
While UFC president Dana White has scoffed at the matchup in the past because St-Pierre has made it clear he is only interested in returning for Nurmagomedov and wouldn’t stick around past that fight, the reigning lightweight champion is still holding out hope that it could happen.
“Georges St-Pierre is a great guy, a great champion, a great athlete,” Nurmagomedov said at the UFC 242 post fight press conference. “He’s a very good example for young kids. I know he retired, if he wants to come back, if he feels hungry, if he feels he can improve his legacy with a fight with me and he can make 155, I’m waiting for him.
“Maybe he likes the new belt. If he likes, I can give him just only for one photo. If he wants to fight, [he’s] welcome.”
When he was asked about the potential fight on Saturday, White said “sure” it could happen but it’s unclear if he was serious about Nurmagomedov vs. St-Pierre or perhaps just misheard the question after vehemently denying he had any interest in the bout in the past.
Either way, Nurmagomedov is obviously open to the possibility and he’s even willing to face St-Pierre for charity so their fight could do some good in the world rather than just fattening their pockets.
Nurmagomedov previously traveled to Nigeria in 2018 to help built water wells and he mentioned returning to Africa with the UFC in the future.
“Maybe I can fight with Georges St-Pierre — Georges St-Pierre is very big star, very, very big star — they can build this arena in the next three months, maybe January, February or March,” Nurmagomedov said. “We can fight somewhere like Congo, why not, and all what money we make, we can use on charity on Africa or somewhere.
“I think this event maybe could make $50 million, I don’t know maybe $40 million, even if they make $30 million. $30 million for one night and give all this money for people, I like kind of stuff.”
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