Khabib Nurmagamedov Has a Message for Conor McGregor… He Wants the Irishman to Get in Line…
It’s a good time to be Khabib Nurmagamedov. As one of the most dominant fighters on the UFC roster with an unbeaten record of 27-0, the Russian fighter hasn’t really looked in trouble once during his incredible rise. Beating Conor McGregor validated his status as the 155lb king.
Of course, one thing that Conor McGregor hates is losing. He instantly pushed for a rematch when he lost to Nate Diaz back in 2016, and he would dearly love to run this fight back again too. However, so far Nurmagamedov has refused to give the controversial Irishman that favour – despite all the money that he would make from it.
And that doesn’t look like changing anytime soon. Dustin Poirier is next for Khabib and – if he gets past the Diamond – Tony Ferguson will surely be next in line. Conor McGregor needs to win some fights if he wants to get that title shot again.
Not Happening.
Khabib is refusing to back down to the UFC and Conor McGregor who both would like for the Notorious to fight for a title again. You can understand it, because when McGregor is involved there is a lot of money to be made. However, it’s all about legacy for the Dagestani now and he’s already beaten the former double champion.
“Have to deserve. I have to keep winning, he have to deserve, and that’s it,” Khabib said, per Clyde Aidoo of MMA News. “It’s gonna happen. But right now, I’m not interested in this fight. For what? He tapped. If it was like we go all distance or if it was a close fight, maybe. But right now, I finished this business. If you want a new business, deserve this.”
Deserving
The Dagestani fighter insists that when it comes to his future it will ultimately be him who calls the shots. He won’t be pressured into fighting anybody he doesn’t want to. After his rivalry with McGregor came to a toxic conclusion, he’s definitely not inclined to give him any favours.
“Right now, not only Dana make decision. I’m here, too,” Khabib said, smirking. “They have to listen to me. Because right now, I’m champion. And I know what I deserve, I know what opponents deserve. Right now, Dustin and Tony on the line. Other guys? Nobody deserve. Even if you talk about people who deserve, Conor is not on the list. He have to deserve.”
Get in Line
As Khabib says, the last time McGregor won an MMA fight was back in 2016 when he dissected Eddie Alvarez to become the lightweight champion. A year later he would be beaten by Floyd Mayweather in what was essentially a glorified exhibition match. Khabib said:
“Last time he win, 2016. We talk about fight for the title, being best in the world. Please deserve. Come back and fight with someone and deserve this. No problem. But right now, a lot of tough and good opponents who have good win streak, they deserve.”
So there you go. If McGregor wants to get a title shot, he should fight Justin Gaethje and get in line.
