UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov reiterated, through his manager, that he has no intention of fighting Conor McGregor in the near future.
Khabib, who is coming off
a nine-month suspension for a post-fight brawl with McGregor's camp following their UFC 229 title match, has
expressed a desire to fight three times within the next year. While a rematch with Conor McGregor would certainly bring in the big bucks, Nurmagomedov and his team feel that the former champion — who hasn't fought since he lost to Khabib in October 2018 — isn't "worthy enough" at the moment.
Khabib's manager, Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN:
"To be honest, Conor is going to have to go out there and fight somebody like Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson or Cowboy [Donald Cerrone]. He's not a worthy enough opponent right now. That's the feeling from all of us, as a team."
Conor McGregor is currently ranked No. 3 in the lightweight division, behind Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson. There's been a lot of talk that he would be a perfect opponent for Donald Cerrone, who is coming off a big win against Al Iaquinta this past weekend. Cerrone wants a title shot or an opponent who will earn him one (and some money along the way); Conor McGregor fits that bill perfectly.
McGregor has been quite active on social media, though nothing official seems to come from any of it. At this point, it's unclear if or when he will return to the Octagon.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently
slated to fight newly minted interim champion Dustin Poirier to unify the lightweight championship. Would you like to see a rematch with Conor McGregor?