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Khabib Nurmagomedov may get his wish after all.
The UFC lightweight champion has not said much since his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, passed away recently. Speculation has ranged widely, from him never fighting again to him returning to business as usual following his mourning period. Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently told UFC Arabia that Nurmagomedov intends to honor his father’s wishes that he retire at 30-0. If that’s true, that means Nurmagomedov only has two fights left in his career, and the UFC is planning on making them count.
Speaking recently to ESPN, UFC President Dana White addressed the Khabib rumors, saying that, first things first, Khabib will defend his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje.
“I don’t know. Obviously he has got this Gaethje fight that is a done deal,” White said. “He is fighting Gaethje next. Then I don’t know who his last fight would be to make him 30. I don’t know. . . No clue, I mean listen, at the end of the day, the Conor McGregor fight - I know Conor has always wanted that fight since the last one, I mean that is the fight to make. I don’t know. Again, we will see how this all plays out. But, the Gaethje fight is absolutely, positively the next fight for him.”
Should Khabib get past Gaethje though, things get really interesting. The UFC lightweight champion is already arguably the greatest lightweight of all time, but his goals don’t stop there. Since joining the UFC in 2012, Khabib has been upfront with wanting to leave a lasting legacy in MMA. Part of that legacy, for Khabib, has always been a desire to fight Georges St-Pierre, something GSP was also interested in. Unfortunately, Dana White has never been a fan of the idea. But, given all Khabib has accomplished, White is now coming around to the idea of a Khabib vs. GSP superfight for the final fight of ‘The Eagle.’
“Sure. Yeah, it’s the last fight of his career,” White said. “The guys been great. He’s been great to the company, he’s been great for the sport, and, I like Khabib Nurmagomedov a lot. I would do anything Khabib wanted to do.”
St-Pierre retired from MMA last year, specifically citing the UFC’s disinterest in making a superfight with Nurmagomedov. Since then, the former two-division champion has been repeatedly asked about a comeback fight, and though he has said he’s happily retired, has also alluded to still being interested in a fight with Khabib.
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VIDEO STEW
Preview for the Contender Series return.
Free fights.
Masvidal’s weight cut for UFC 251.
The grappling of Khamzat Chimaev.
LISTEN UP
The Co-Main Event. Discussing Robert Whittaker, Rua-Nog III, and Khamzat Chimaev.
Fights Gone By. Discussing the UFC’s final foray to Fight Island.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Wow. This is terrifying.
This is also not good.
Khabib is back to training.
Call out.
Statement from Jai Herbert.
@danhardymma regardless of what happened on fight night I respect & admire your passion for your fellow fighters safety Appreciate everyone’s concerns on the stoppage, but I’m all good & will be back in soon. Hope you all enjoyed the fight
— jai-herbert (@jaiherbert2) July 27, 2020
A bold man.
@KChimaev ill be back in november if you want to be at 185 and want a real test. Im always down for a good dance @ufc
— Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) July 28, 2020
That train is never late.
@TheNotoriousMMA Tab machine king chicken heart @danawhite i’m hungry give me Give me dessert
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) July 27, 2020
This is the most insane thing John McCarthy has ever said.
Sorry no, Fabricio is an amazing BJJ Blackbelt and an outstanding MMA Competitor, but Alexey Oleynik has 47 Submission Victories in his 59 wins. Fabricio has 12 wins by submission https://t.co/xmryUTpT0a
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) July 27, 2020
Fight Poster.
A Beast and a Boa.
— UFC (@ufc) July 27, 2020
Your #UFCVegas6 poster has dropped! pic.twitter.com/dNCxpR5sSo
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Frankie Edgar (23-8-1) vs. Pedro Munhoz (18-4); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 22.
Mike Rodriguez (10-4) vs. Marcin Prachnio (13-4); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 22.
Ashley Cummins (7-5) vs. Alesha Zappitella (7-2); Invicta FC 42, Sep. 17.
Johnny Walker (17-5) vs. Ryan Spann (18-5); UFC 253, Sep. 19.
Kai Kara-France (21-8) vs. Brandon Royval (11-4); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 26.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Do Khabib and GSP ever fight?
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