Khabib Nurmagodmeov’s Father: ‘Only Referee Can Protect Conor Mcgregor From My Son’
UFC lightweight champion, undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov to defend his title against former two-division champion Conor Mcgregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas on 6 October. Both stars have been going at each other for a long time, and the tension between two escalated when Irishman attacked a bus carrying the Khabib and other UFC fighters back in April. According to UFC president Dana White, this fight has a potential to be the biggest in the history of UFC.
Khabib itself mentioned on several occasions that Mcgregor doesn’t deserve a title shot due to his inactivity in MMA since Nov. 2016 and after his infamous bus attack. Khabib’s father Abdulmanap said the same phrase that Irishman isn’t deserving of a title shot, but to him, Dustin Poirier is the strong contender who deserves a title shot. (Via MMAFighting)
“I think Conor understands that he wasn’t the real champion at 155 [pounds],” Abdulmanap said. “He only fought against two lightweights and one of them choked him out. When he took the belt, there were about six lightweights who were stronger than him.
“There are a lot of fighters who deserve a title shot more than Conor. For example, Poirier. He can keep a high pace, he tries to finish opponents. Poirier is the real contender.”
Dustin Poirier has an impressive record in his last three UFC fights, finished all his opponent; however, Mcgregor is more of PPV draws. Irishman was last seen fighting against Floyd Mayweather in a highly anticipated boxing match, which was the most profitable fight in the PPV history. Abdulmanap said, Mcgregor holds a very less chance of winning this fight, and he knows it, but willing to jump into this show because that’s the most lucrative option he has available.
“[Conor] will not earn the same money in any other fight,” Abdulmanap said. “Of course he understands that the five-round fight against Khabib will be a nightmare for him. He just has the puncher’s chance, but Khabib has never been knocked down. He’s never even been wobbled. I think Khabib’s chin is strong enough for the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
“Physically and tactically, Khabib is stronger than Conor. Khabib has better cardio than Conor and 100 percent Khabib has better wrestling and grappling. we will choke him out when we decide to do it. Of course, Conor’s left hand is very dangerous and he can throw the right uppercut. That’s all. Nothing else.”
Khabib is the betting favorite, and his fighting style of holding opponents down and pounding them round to round has become one of the worst ways to lose. Mcgregor is one classic striker with a mighty left-hand with debilitating kicks, knees, and elbows. Irishman showed vulnerability in Jiu-Jitsu against Nate Diaz while Khabib Showed some discrepancies in standup against Al Iaquinta fight. Abdulmanap said, who will save Mcgregor when Khabib imposes a takedown, as no best wrestling coach in the world can make Mcgregor ready in time for grappling for UFC 229.
“Let’s put together the best wrestling coaches from Dagestan, Japan, USA, Turkey . . . even they will not be able to prepare McGregor for this fight in three months,” Abdulmanap said. “No one can help him. You can’t do that in such a short time. He needs to start studying it from the beginning. To improve his wrestling in several months, it’s impossible.
“[Conor is dangerous] for 8 to 9 minutes, no more. After the first clinch, Khabib will take him down. We will finish this fight when we want. We respect our fans. If they want to watch all five rounds, we will fight all five rounds. But after two rounds, he has nothing to do on his feet. After two rounds, he will not be able to do anything. We don’t want to lose even one round. Khabib has never lost a single round.
“Only a referee can protect Conor, that’s why he will be in the cage.”
Do you agree with Abdulmanap’s prediction? Do you think Mcgregor will have a hard time on the mat against Khabib?
