Conor McGregor wants a Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch — but don't expect one anytime soon
Hours after Khabib Nurmagomedov retained his lightweight title via submission over Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 and fired shots at Conor McGregor following the match, McGregor says he wants back in on the action.
Following his win Saturday, Nurmagomedov noted the mutual respect that exists between himself and Poirier, as opposed to how it is with “that bull---- guy,” meaning McGregor.
“MMA is about respect, not about trash talking,” Nurmagomedov added.
McGregor, who Nurmagomedov defeated handily at last year’s UFC 229, responded by tweeting that he wants a rematch.
Book my rematch for Moscow.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 7, 2019
Even if the fight were to happen, though it’s probably not in McGregor’s best interest, it likely won’t be anytime soon. Nurmagomedov has been saying for weeks that his next title defense will be Tony Ferguson, which makes a whole lot more sense.
UFC president Dana White also all but confirmed Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson — provided Ferguson wants in.
“Yeah, he’s next, Tony Ferguson is next in line for the fight, if he accepts the fight,” White said after Friday’s event. “We’ll see how this thing plays out, when Khabib fights again and when Tony wants to fight.”
And what reason would Ferguson have to decline right now? Health aside. The duo has been scheduled to fight four times in the past four years, with each time falling through due to various health circumstances on both fighters’ parts.
Nurmagomedov says he’ll fight McGregor — just not officially
Additionally, Nurmagomedov said just last week he’s not interested in officially fighting McGregor until he posts enough wins to prove he’s worthy. McGregor hasn’t fought since the loss last year, and has teased retirement multiple times.
Unofficially, though? Nurmagomedov said that their feud will “never be finished,” and that if they run into each other out in the world, they’re “going to fight, 100 percent.” “It doesn't matter if someone go to jail or something like this,” Nurmagomedov added.
The famed rivalry has already included a bus attack and vile social media posts, including insults to Nurmagomedov’s wife, among other things. Nurmagomedov also landed a nine-month suspension for jumping out of the Octagon in their last meeting to confront McGregor’s team.
As to if there will be more flareups in the future, we’ll just have to wait — probably a long, long time — and see.
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