Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov-Two names that have been all over the headlines this week. Tied up in an interesting situation at lightweight, two of the division’s brightest stars have been tearing into each other…
UFC 219 was on display last Saturday, December 30, with a pivotal pair of fights at the top of the card. During the main event, Cris Cyborg cemented her status as the number one female fighter at 145 pounds, probably pound-for-pound.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov returned from 13 months of inactivity, and he was rampant. Edson Barboza, for all his flashy knockouts and lethal striking, was rendered completely ineffective by ‘The Eagle.’
Nurmagomedov showed exactly why he is now undefeated in 25 fights. Making Barboza look totally helpless, the Dagestani wrestler held the Brazilian down and pummeled him for 15 straight minutes.
With the win, Khabib has again aligned himself with the top flight of the division, Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor being the only possible options next.
History of Beef
Although it would seem impossible to book anyone aside from Tony Ferguson against Conor McGregor next, we live in strange times. Logic and reason essentially get blown out of the water when money is involved.
UFC president Dana White has already spoken about setting up McGregor vs. Khabib in Russia, and although ‘El Cucuy’ is the interim champion, he has undergone surgery lately. Then there’s this, the video of McGregor and ‘The Eagle’ going at it backstage at UFC 205:
Cutting Promos
No doubt this clip will get used in any potential promos for this possible fight. Speculation aside, Nurmagomedov is supremely confident in his chances against ‘The Notorious.’
“When I’m injured, these guys talk. When I’m here, where are they? If UFC approves, I’ll fight both Conor and Tony on the same night. Why not? I swear this is no joke.”
McGregor was quick to fire back at Khabib, but was instantly shot down in response:
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 1, 2018
Zing! In case you were under a rock this past weekend, here’s the full results list from UFC 219:
Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm —- Cyborg def. Holm by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 x2)
Edson Barboza vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov — Nurmagomedov def. Barboza by unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-24)
Marc Diakiese vs. Dan Hooker — Hooker def. Diakiese by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:42 of Round Three
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Carla Esparza — Esparza def. Calvillo by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny — Magny def. Condit by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Khalil Rountree — Oleksiejczuk def. Rountree by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Rick Glenn vs. Myles Jury — Jury def. Glenn by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Omari Akhmedov vs. Marvin Vettori — Majority draw (28-28, 28-29, 28-28)
Matheus Nicolau vs. Louis Smolka — Nicolau def. Smolka by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-25)
Mark Delarosa vs. Tim Elliott — Elliott def. Delarosa by submission (anaconda choke) at 1:41 of Round Two
