Khabib Nurmagamedov is Demanding a Lightweight Showdown With Georges St. Pierre… The Dagestani Fighter Wants to Take on the Very Best… But Only on His Terms…
It’s Khabib Nurmagamedov’s world and we’re all living in it. The lightweight champion of the world is set to defend his title against Dustin Poirier, who holds the interim strap, in Abu Dhabi, at UFC 242. It’s Khabib’s first time to fight since the infamous match-up against Conor McGregor, which ended in both men getting banned for their parts in a post-fight brawl.
With all the talk about the post-fight brawl, it’s easy to forget just how good the Dagestani fighter was in that clash with McGregor. The second round was easily the worst beating of the Irishman’s career and it probably could have been stopped earlier.
Now Khabib has answered questions about his future, including the intriguing possibility of him taking on Georges St. Pierre.
Legacy
For Khabib legacy is the most important thing. He’s not interested in hopping between divisions. It’s all about defending his own title and becoming the best lightweight of all time. The Russian believes that the way some fighters are bouncing around divisions is diluting the value of those belts. 155lbs is where he will stay in the near future and if he keeps going the way he is, then his legacy will be a glorious one.
“I want to stay in a lightweight division,” Khabib said, per Alok Nayak of Essentially Sports. “I feel I can make this weight. This is my weight. And I don’t want to jump to featherweight or welterweight. I want to defend my title and improve my legacy.”
Lightweight
‘The Eagle’s’ manager Ali Abdelaziz has been vocal about Khabib wanting to fight the legendary Georges St. Pierre. The 38-year-old is officially retired but has said that if there was the chance to fight Khabib, that would be the one he’d come back for. Like the Dagestani, ‘GSP’ is all about legacy at this stage of his career. Khabib insisted that he’s not desperate to fight the Canadian and if they fight it has to be on his terms.
“I never talked with UFC about George St Pierre. And they never asked me. He is one of the greatest athletes to ever compete. But he is retired. If he wants to come back and fight with me he will have to cut weight, and he have to come to lightweight division.”
Next Up
When you consider that St. Pierre last fought at middleweight, you have to wonder whether or not ‘Rush’ – who is regarded as the greatest welterweight of all time – could really make it down to 155lbs. It’s probably possible, but maybe not advisable. Anyway, Dana White has finally confirmed that Tony Ferguson will get the next title shot. He told ESPN:
“Listen, again, if Tony Ferguson’s ready. “Tony Ferguson’s been offered opportunities before that he hasn’t taken. If Tony’s ready then yeah [he’s next].”
Let’s hope that’s true. No other fighter deserves that shot more than El Cucuy.
