Khabib is already planning fights against McGregor and GSP. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
Khabib Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Tony Ferguson in the main fight of UFC 223, next Saturday (07), in New York (USA). But the American's injury, six days before the event, forced a quick change in the organization's plans. Also on Sunday (01), Ultimate announced that the featherweight champion Max Holloway agreed to move up in weight and fight for the division title against Khabib. The Hawaiian's decision scared Nurmagomedov, who believes that the owner of the 65,7 kg belt moved up in weight just for the money.
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“I asked, 'How are they going to give me this guy?' Because, a month ago, he left a fight because he was injured, and now he accepts another fight in six days… I don't understand. To be honest, if Dana calls me and says, 'You're going to fight in a month, I won't accept it. Because I care about my legacy. I don't fight for the money, I don't need to fight for the money. But each one is different. I heard that Max Holloway he doesn’t care about the belt, he cares about the check, and I think the UFC said they would give him good money if he came”, said Nurmagomedov, in an interview with the program MMA Hour.
Khabib also highlighted that although Holloway could receive a big payday at the end of UFC 223, it will be a long night for his rival.
“This event is going to make a good pay-per-view, so of course he would accept it. But I respect you, Max! He's champion for a reason, at featherweight. He beat a lot of good guys, Aldo twice, Pettis, Jeremy Stephens, Ricardo Lamas, but none of them do wrestling, none of them did wrestling like me. He is in another territory, there are other animals. He has a young opponent like him. Aldo and Pettis are already finished. He’s going to face a young, hungry guy, bigger than him, stronger than him, with greater pressure in wrestling, undefeated… I think it’s going to be a long night for him”, he added.
Are you already thinking about the next challenge?
Khabib Nurmagomedov he doesn't hide that he feels favored to face Max Holloway at UFC 223 and win the lightweight belt. The biggest proof of this is that the Russian is already thinking about the first challenge after the event: facing the Irishman Conor McGregor or the Canadian Georges St Pierre.
“I think about Georges St-Pierre. He says he can weigh 70 kg (lightweight division limit), he was welterweight and middleweight champion, so why not? For his legacy and for my legacy, it would be very important. It wouldn't be an easy fight for me, and it wouldn't be for him either. Champion x former champion. He is the greatest athlete in UFC history in my opinion, inside and outside the cage. I watched it when I was growing up. I respect him. Georges or Conor McGregor, without talking about money, which would be more important for my legacy? Without a doubt it is Georges. I'll bring Georges if the UFC gives me the choice. But 100%, the UFC will try to make me vs. Conor McGregor. I think (me versus McGregor would be) Madison Square Garden, which is closer. He calls himself a champion, a king, a Burger King, it doesn't matter to me. I just need to make weight, beat the guy and I'll get the real belt. In the forest, there is only one king, there is no interim king. I'm going to take the belt and show my numbers: 26 wins and zero losses, 10 years undefeated, my entire career, absolute champion and undefeated”, he said.
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