Khabib’s New UFC Contract Has A Clause For A Potential Superfight
The UFC just announced that their Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, would be defending his title in September. However, he has his eyes set on an even bigger fight.
Khabib is scheduled to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. The bout is taking place to unify the UFC Lightweight Championship, as Poirier became interim champ earlier this year. The two champions will be facing off in Abu Dhabi.
Apparently, according to Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib is looking ahead for his next big fight. Ahead of this bout, he signed a new UFC contract, one with a clause. Abdelaziz spoke to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, to discuss what this special clause is, on Khabib’s contract.
In addition to UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov has signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Terms not disclosed, however Abdelaziz said there is a clause in the contract in the event Khabib ever fights GSP. That's apparently already been negotiated.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 4, 2019
“In addition to UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov has signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Terms not disclosed. however Abdelaziz said there is a clause in the contract in the event Khabib ever fights GSP. That’s apparently already been negotiated.”
According to this, Khabib already has a clause in his contract for a fight with Georges St-Pierre. This is astonishing news, considering GSP officially retired from the sport in February of this year. The retirement news came after failed negotiations for a bout between the two.
So, now it appears the UFC is somewhat, interested in making the bout. Perhaps they will allow this to happen after the Lightweight division is a bit more tidy. It has been log-jammed since Conor McGregor swept through in 2016. Finally, some order is being restored.
Ali also revealed with new lucrative deal Khabib now is the most highest paid athlete in the UFC.
“We’re extremely happy. “We’re well taken care of. We can’t ask for any better. We very grateful. Easiest negotiation I ever did,” said Ali. “It was fair, straight to the point. This is one of the biggest deals in UFC history. I don’t care Conor [McGregor], I don’t care this is one of the biggest guaranteed money [contracts] in UFC history. When you do this kind of deal, people normally burn bridges. The bridges only got stronger, that’s all I’m going to say,” he added.
“My opinion right now, Khabib is the pound-for-pound greatest fighter we’ve ever seen. He never lost. He’s never been caught. He’s never been dropped. He’s dominated every round against almost every opponent. No [performance-enhancing drugs], nothing,” he added while doubling down on Nurmagomeodv’s record-breaking deal.
“This is why he’s the highest-paid athlete in the UFC today. Believe me. He’s the highest-paid athlete in the UFC today. And I’m saying that again because I see everything. They showed me everything. Khabib is the highest-paid athlete in the UFC and we are happy. It’s time to fight.”
However, if Khabib Nurmagomedov can beat Poirier, and the winner of Ferguson vs Cowboy, a bout with GSP could be next.
