Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated last-second replacement Al Iaquinta to become the first Russian to hold an undisputed UFC lightweight title on (Sat., April 7, 2018) at UFC 223 from Barclays Center Brooklyn New York.
Nurmagomedov called out Georges St-Pierre in the Octagon after his victory and said he wants to fight with legendary St-Pierre, preferably at Madison Square Garden in November.
MMAfighting’s Ariel Helwani spoke to Georges St-Pierre, and it seems that the two-division champion has since responded, but he didn’t express much interest in fighting Khabib at the moment:
I asked @GeorgesStPierre what he thought of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s post-fight comments. His response:
“I feel UFC and Khabib got unfinished business before I try to make a step in here to go for the 155 title.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 8, 2018
“I feel UFC and Khabib got unfinished business before I try to make a step in here to go for the 155 title,” said St-Pierre.
The fight is a little unlikely and got more so when Khabib Nurmagomedov clarified that he likes to fight St-Pierre at 155 pounds. (Quote via MMAFighting)
“No, please, not 170, with Georges St-Pierre? No,” Nurmagomedov said when asked what weight class he’d like to meet St-Pierre at. “When I talk with my father one year ago he told me his dream fight is me vs. Georges St-Pierre. I remember when I grow up, like 11, 12 years ago, when I compete in combat sambo, junior combat sambo Dagestan championship, he fight for the UFC title. When I grew up, I watch his fights, all fights with my father, and he greatest athlete who ever compete in UFC. Middleweight, welterweight champion. And I hear about he want to come and fight in 155, take this belt, make history, become UFC three-division champion.
“Why not? Me vs. Georges St-Pierre. If I beat Conor or if I beat Georges St-Pierre, which one is better for my legacy? Maybe for money, it’s Conor, but for legacy it’s Georges St-Pierre. But we don’t know about money too because me vs. Georges St-Pierre is going to be a big fight.”
GSP came back from a four-year of hiatus from the sport and won the title at 185, only to vacate it citing a medical condition that could slow his defense.
Khabib understands, he throws his hat but believes a legendary St-Pierre doesn’t have much reason to return to the sport.
“Only respect, only respect, but if you guys ask me about is he going to come back or no? I’m going to say no,” Nurmagomedov said. “He already greatest athlete in UFC. Why he come back? For what?”
