UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t wholly opposed to the thought of a rematch with Conor McGregor. But if it at any time happens, it’s going to be on his phrases.
Nurmagomedov on Monday reported if McGregor is in a position to defeat Dustin Poirier in a rematch on Jan. 23, he thinks an additional fight with the Irish star is a risk. But it relies upon on the excess weight class McGregor chooses.
“If he beats [Poirier] at 155 [pounds], it makes sense, but if they fight at 170, how can you battle at 170 and following battle you can battle at 155? They want to make anything uncomplicated,” the UFC light-weight champ mentioned on the Serious Fast With Mike Swick Podcast. “It you want to get the quick way, you hardly ever should have the subsequent title shot.”
Nurmagomedov, 32, is 5 days away from his third tried title protection in opposition to interim champ Justin Gaethje, a matchup numerous insiders hope to be his most tricky. He is close to a -300 favorite to earn the fight, which usually takes area Saturday on Struggle Island in Abu Dhabi.
Right now, the rematch in between McGregor and Poirier is even now not a sure factor. Following trying to set up a charity MMA battle, both equally fighters have agreed on social media to meet in the octagon, but UFC President Dana White stated contracts have not been signed. Following offering the thumbs up, Poirier requested McGregor about the weight class McGregor most not too long ago competed in the octagon as a welterweight when he stopped Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
McGregor also called to market his rematch with Poirier at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, an idea White shot down early.
Negotiations between the former two-division champ and his promoter have not often been effortless. McGregor called out White for not placing him back to work before this year and produced textual content messages he explained were being proof of the UFC’s “borderline criminal” lack of ability to hold him energetic. White, in transform, has blasted McGregor for heading public and retaliated by nixing a coaching spot reverse Nurmagomedov on The Supreme Fighter 29.
The UFC light-weight champ reportedly balked at performing the actuality show with McGregor, which would have served as a lead-in to a rematch. His team, in the meantime, have been quick to dismiss the chance of a next struggle. His longtime supervisor, Ali Abdelaziz, claimed the only chance of the two battling once more would be in the streets. Abdelaziz was a frequent target of McGregor prior to the Irish star’s blockbuster assembly with Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, which ended in an notorious brawl that suspended the rivals and many of their teammates.
On Monday, Nurmagomedov’s longtime teammate, former two-division champ and UFC commentator Daniel Cormier mentioned on ESPN, “before, I believed, confident, say you don’t want to combat him, but then go defeat the man. I feel you must, for the reason that you previously received, you make a ton of dollars, it would make feeling. But I just never know if he’s likely to do it. He wants to emphasis on Justin Gaethje, and it’s just a ton.”
Nurmagomedov has also mused about retirement immediately after obtaining a 30- document, but he’s also entertained “something special” promised by the UFC in the long term. That could be a meeting with former welterweight and middleweight champ and UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre, who has proposed a catchweight showdown.
Just before he can entertain any designs, the Dagestan-born champ need to initially get earlier Gaethje. If McGregor is to get a further shot at him, he stated, his rival have to not consider any shortcuts.
“Remember, before I fought him, I told him, ‘I’m heading to make you humble, and I’m likely to set you in line,’” Nurmagomedov stated. “Now, immediately after two decades, individuals understand my term. I’m likely to place him in line, and I’m heading to make the final decision. If he fights 170, bye-bye.”
Examine out Nurmagomedov’s full job interview beneath:
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