McGregor’s Title Defense Against Khabib Nurmagomedov
If McGregor opts to stay as a lightweight, the UFC will push for his first title defense against marquee Russian combatant Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov cemented his stature as next in line to get a crack at the UFC lightweight champion after manhandling and submitting Michael Johnson at UFC 205.
From both business and matchmaking perspective, the UFC would like to cater something fresh in the eyes of the sport’s diehard hooligans.
Putting McGregor on a turf opposite a gritty adversary like Nurmagomedov could generate warm ticket sales.
Nurmagomedov has also mentioned an enormous Russian fan base that the UFC has yet to take advantage of.
