Nurmagomedov: No rematch with Conor for now
UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his ugly rivalry with Conor McGregor will “by no means be completed.”
Nonetheless, Nurmagomedov says he has no curiosity now in a second battle.
In an unique interview with ESPN, Nurmagomedov (27-Zero), who defended his light-weight title in opposition to McGregor (21-Three) by way of fourth-round submission final October, stated he would battle McGregor on the street in the event that they crossed paths, however he won’t grant him an instantaneous rematch so long as he holds the belt.
“Even [the October fight] didn’t end it,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Simply smash folks shouldn’t be sufficient. I speak about simply smash solely him? It is not sufficient. We now have to smash all his group. That is what I believe earlier than the battle. That is what I say to my group. ‘Hey, tonight, we’ll conflict. This isn’t about battle.’
“It would by no means be completed. Ever. Even when we see [each other] someplace, we’ll battle, 100 p.c. It does not matter if somebody go to jail or one thing like this. I am not scared about this … They go to hospital and we go to police. That is it.”
Nurmagomedov, of Dagestan, is scheduled to defend his title in opposition to Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. It would mark his first look since he jumped out of the Octagon after beating McGregor to confront members of his group. Nurmagomedov stated he did so as a result of McGregor insulted his household and nation within the buildup to the battle.
The Nevada State Athletic Fee suspended Nurmagomedov 9 months and fined him $500,000 for his post-fight actions. In April, the rivalry made headlines once more, when McGregor posted, and deleted, two offensive messages geared toward Nurmagomedov’s spouse. Nurmagomedov responded by calling McGregor a “rapist.”
McGregor, of Dublin, has expressed curiosity in an instantaneous rematch. A second battle between Nurmagomedov and McGregor could be an especially profitable occasion, however Nurmagomedov says he won’t permit it to occur with out McGregor successful a battle. The 155-pound champion has clearly acknowledged he want to face Tony Ferguson subsequent, ought to he defeat Poirier on Saturday.
“This man [McGregor] have to come back again and make 9 or 10-fight win streak. Then we gonna battle,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Possibly individuals who watch this interview, they suppose, ‘Oh, he take into consideration this however when UFC ask this man to battle Conor for thousands and thousands of , this man is gonna take it.’ No. Struggle. Come again and present, who’re you.
“Dana [White] no have to name me. Why he should name me about this battle? We speak with Dana generally, he is a very good man, however do not speak with me about this loopy battle. I wish to battle actual guys — Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, perhaps if one of many best athletes ever, Georges St-Pierre, desires to battle. I wish to battle these guys. I do not wish to battle with a man who by no means win.”