UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has named the fights he needs to ensure pound-for-pound greatness in the sport – and any MMA fans hoping for a rematch with Irish megastar Conor McGregor will be left disappointed.
The undefeated Russian is preparing to face interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7, and ahead of that the pair met at a press conference in London.
RELIVE: Khabib & Poirier hold press conference ahead of UFC 242 showdown
Nurmagomedov, who stands 27-0 in professional MMA, was asked which fights he needs in addition to Poirier to secure his legacy as an all-time great of the sport, amid talk his latest contract with the UFC contains a clause on a potential showdown with recently-retired Canadian legend Georges St-Pierre.
“Honestly, I dont know if he [GSP] will come back,” Nurmagomedov said in London.
“If I wanna make my legacy big, I have to beat [Tony] Ferguson and GSP, then I can become pound-for-pound number one,” he added.
Ferguson returned to the octagon with a TKO win over Donald Cowboy Cerrone at UFC 238 at the weekend – the 35-year-old Americans 12th straight victory.
Despite being asked about his legacy plans, the Dagestani fighter insisted however that he was not looking beyond Poirier and Abu Dhabi in September.
“I dont want to underestimate Dustin, hes a tough challenge, right now I dont want to think about other opponents,” Nurmagomedov said.
One fighter the Russian said he was not in a hurry to face was Conor Mcgregor, whom he comprehensively defeated last time out in Las Vegas in October.
The post-fight melee that marred that fight led to Nurmagomedov being hit with a fine and nine-month suspension, with the fight against Poirier his first action since then.
When asked whether he would run things back with McGregor, Nurmagomedov said: “In the last three years, he only has one victory in amateur boxing.
“How does he deserve rematch? He tapped, he begged me, please dont kill me. Tony Ferguson is on the line, guys with a win streak are on the line, not a guy who didnt do nothing in three years.”
The respectful atmospheRead More – Source
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has named the fights he needs to ensure pound-for-pound greatness in the sport – and any MMA fans hoping for a rematch with Irish megastar Conor McGregor will be left disappointed.
The undefeated Russian is preparing to face interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7, and ahead of that the pair met at a press conference in London.
RELIVE: Khabib & Poirier hold press conference ahead of UFC 242 showdown
Nurmagomedov, who stands 27-0 in professional MMA, was asked which fights he needs in addition to Poirier to secure his legacy as an all-time great of the sport, amid talk his latest contract with the UFC contains a clause on a potential showdown with recently-retired Canadian legend Georges St-Pierre.
“Honestly, I dont know if he [GSP] will come back,” Nurmagomedov said in London.
“If I wanna make my legacy big, I have to beat [Tony] Ferguson and GSP, then I can become pound-for-pound number one,” he added.
Ferguson returned to the octagon with a TKO win over Donald Cowboy Cerrone at UFC 238 at the weekend – the 35-year-old Americans 12th straight victory.
Despite being asked about his legacy plans, the Dagestani fighter insisted however that he was not looking beyond Poirier and Abu Dhabi in September.
“I dont want to underestimate Dustin, hes a tough challenge, right now I dont want to think about other opponents,” Nurmagomedov said.
One fighter the Russian said he was not in a hurry to face was Conor Mcgregor, whom he comprehensively defeated last time out in Las Vegas in October.
The post-fight melee that marred that fight led to Nurmagomedov being hit with a fine and nine-month suspension, with the fight against Poirier his first action since then.
When asked whether he would run things back with McGregor, Nurmagomedov said: “In the last three years, he only has one victory in amateur boxing.
“How does he deserve rematch? He tapped, he begged me, please dont kill me. Tony Ferguson is on the line, guys with a win streak are on the line, not a guy who didnt do nothing in three years.”
The respectful atmospheRead More – Source
