Conor McGregor wants to defend UFC title against Khabib Nurmagomedov in Russia after boxing Floyd Mayweather
The Irishman wants to make his first Lightweight title defence in Nurmagomedov's homeland, which would mark the UFC's first expansion into Russia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.His professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather has only recently been announced – but Conor McGregor already has one eye on his return to the UFC.
McGregor will take on Mayweather in Las Vegas on August 26 in one of the most lucrative fights in the history of combat sport.
The Irishman last fought in the Octagon at UFC 205 and the organisation’s president, Dana White, has previously expressed the fear that he could decide to retire after switching codes to take on Mayweather.
However White’s fears appear to have been allayed as he has since revealed who McGregor told him he wants to fight next.
White claims that McGregor has told him he wants to make his first lightweight title defence against Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov, who boasts a flawless professional MMA record of 24-0.
“You know what Conor told me? I want Khabib in Russia,” White told MMA Junkie.
“Isn’t he f***ing awesome? He’s like, ‘I want Khabib, in Russia.’ He’s awesome. Conor McGregor is a f***ing unicorn. There’s nothing like him.
“He’s working on boxing Floyd Mayweather and then he’s talking about fighting Khabib in Russia right after. Those are the kind of things that make that kid a superstar.
“I’ve got guys telling me, ‘I don’t want to fight this guy, and I don’t want to do this.’ And then Conor says: ‘I want Floyd Mayweather and then I want Khabib in Russia.’ So how do you not love him? How do you not love Conor McGregor? He is amazing.”
Nurmagomedov has won eight straight fights in the UFC and was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 for the interim Lightweight Championship. However, he was taken to hospital two nights before the fight due to weight cutting issues and deemed medically ineligible to fight.
It was the third time a bout between the two men had been cancelled.
“Those guys (have) got to fight,” White added. “It would have seemed a lot worse if those two guys fought (at UFC 209), and they were all sitting around waiting. It didn’t happen. That fight still needs to happen. So this thing could time out perfectly.”
A fight between McGregor and Nurmagomedov in Russia would mark the UFC’s first expansion into that country.
But despite never staging a UFC event, Russia is seen as a hotbed of MMA talent. Nurmagomedov is listed in fourteenth on the organisation’s pound-for-pound list, while Fedor Emelianenko – who recently lost at Bellator NYC – is regarded as a legend of the sport.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments