GSP Thinks A Fight Against Khabib Would Have Been Too Risky For UFC

Former UFC great Georges St-Pierre had previously expressed interest in coming out of retirement to fight unbeaten UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The fight would have attracted immense interest from fans. However, the UFC refused to entertain the idea of giving GSP a shot at ‘The Eagle’.

Speaking to ESPN (as transcribed by MMA Junkie), GSP claims that the fight was too risky for the promotion but understands their decision.

“I know Khabib wanted to have that fight, I want it, but the thing is, if you look from the UFC’s side, I think it’s normal if I put myself in their shoes. They didn’t want to take the risk of me winning the title and then after vacating again. I didn’t even want it for the title, I would rather do it not for a title. For me, it was because I considered Khabib, right now, the best fighter in the world, and he wanted to fight me as well so I thought it was a good fan fight.”

A non-championship fight would still be a massive draw for the UFC but with Khabib averaging just two fights a year, the time needed would certainly upset the plans of lightweight contenders, such as Tony Ferguson.

“They had other plans for Khabib and I understand that,” said St-Pierre. “They had a lot to lose and if they invest into that fight and their investment goes out after, it’s not a good move.

“In a way, I could take that as a compliment because maybe they saw me as a threat for them. That means maybe they thought I could win the fight. If they let me fight him, it’s because they think I would have lost. So that’s why.”

After defeating Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in November of 2017 to win the UFC middleweight title, St-Pierre officially retired from the sport. GSP had previously retired in 2013, after defending his welterweight title against Johny Hendricks. Before coming out of retirement to face ‘The Count’ two and a half years ago.

Would you want to see Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Georges St-Pierre?


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