Khabib Responds To Dana’s Comments About Rematch With McGregor

Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White stated that if Conor McGregor beats ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246 and Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, it’s likely we will see the rematch between Khabib and Conor next.

Dana’s comments didn’t sit well with Justin Gaethje, who took to social media to call them a ‘crock of s***’.

It turns out that Khabib wasn’t too impressed with them either. Talking at a press conference in Russia (as translated by RT Sport), the UFC lightweight champion scoffed at the McGregor vs ‘Cowboy’ matchup.

“I think Cerrone lost seven or eight of his last ten fights (six actually), the other guy (McGregor) is going into his fourth year without a victory. It’s the minor leagues, it doesn’t matter who wins.”  

Khabib went on to say that he will decide who he fights next. And unless McGregor can amass a ten fight winning streak, it doesn’t look like the Irishman will get the next shot.

“It surprises me when Dana White says that if Conor wins and I beat Ferguson, there will be a rematch. I decide who I fight next.

“In order to face me again, first of all [McGregor] needs to drop to 70kg (155lbs), and then win ten fights in a row, just like I did. Then we can think about a rematch. For now, let him beat second-rate fighters.”

This isn’t the first time that Khabib has stated that McGregor needs to win ten straight fights to earn a rematch with him. The unbeaten champ said the same thing last month. Obviously there is practically zero chance that Conor can win ten fights before Khabib decides to hang up his gloves. Or that the UFC allow it to play out that way.

Will McGregor deserve another shot at the title with a win over ‘Cowboy’? Not really. But if he beats Cerrone and then beats Justin Gaethje or Tony Ferguson, I think it would be hard to disagree that he deserves the next title shot.

And of course, this is MMA, anything can happen. Both inside and outside the cage. I think the most interesting scenario would be if McGregor and Ferguson win. What would happen then?

Who do you think will be the UFC lightweight champion this time next year, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje or someone else?


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