LAS VEGAS – Conor McGregor did not mention a specific opponent he wanted after beating Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds on Saturday night at the UFC 246 main event at the T-Mobile Arena. It was another moment out of character in a week out of character for the fighter nicknamed “The Notorious.”
“I don’t think ‘who’ matters,” McGregor said at the post-fight press conference.
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However, UFC President Dana White did not share that feeling. For White, there is only one enemy that should be next to McGregor: Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight undefeated champion and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, beat McGregor by submission in the fourth round at UFC 229 in October 2018. It was the best-selling event payment in the history of UFC, fed by bad blood between the two men.
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That dispute led to some ugly moments, such as McGregor throwing a market cart against the window of a bus, and the melee after the UFC 229 fight that led McGregor, Nurmagomedov and members of their teams to be suspended and fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
Even despite some of those red flags, White said he believes McGregor is going for a rematch against the man who defeated him, and the man with the belt he used to hold is the next clear fight. Although McGregor has many options, including Jorge Masvidal, winner of the title of h … p … more bad (BMF), White said he believes Nurmagomedov is the right man.
“We are seeing Hagler-Hearns,” White said. “We are seeing as Ali-Foreman, Ali-Frazier. This is a gigantic fight, with a global appeal. It’s the fight that weapons, it’s the fight that makes sense. It’s for the 155-pound title.”
“If Conor and Masvidal fight, neither of them has a title. Although Conor wants his BMF title. He doesn’t have a world championship. Then, Khabib is the fight that must be made. It is also huge for Khabib’s legacy. If he won Conor McGregor, then beat Tony Ferguson and then beat Conor McGregor again, I want to say that this is how this boy, when he retires, is 30 years old and has defeated the best. “
Nurmagomedov defends his title against Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, so it presents an obstacle to White’s plan. If Ferguson wins, White said he thinks McGregor would want to fight him because he wants to regain the title. McGregor has also expressed interest in Ferguson.
On Saturday night, McGregor did not compromise. He expressed concern about not wanting to wait for Nurmagomedov to return after the Ferguson fight. McGregor said he wants to fight three times this year, and that could throw a wrench at White’s plan.
McGregor said he will stay in Las Vegas until next week and sit with White and former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta to talk about the future.
“Well, the light title will be there,” McGregor said. “You see the difference in [mi] physical, in preparation and that. That will come, that opportunity. “
We must also argue that McGregor should not even be next in line for the lightweight title. Others, like Justin Gaethje, have done enough to win a chance against Nurmagomedov.
Of course, there are compelling reasons for Nurmagomedov-McGregor 2. White said he believes the rematch would be the biggest fight in UFC history, which could be more than 3 million pay-per-view purchases and could “rival” with McGregor’s boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in terms of earnings.
“There are many different things that make sense that you could do,” White said. “I have to see what he wants to do [McGregor]. I know he wants this fight, and I think he’s willing to wait to get it. “
“Look, do I want to see Conor fight three times this year? Sure. Do I want to see Masvidal against Conor? Sure. But you also have to do what makes sense. And I really think Khabib-Conor’s fight is great for his two legacies and obviously for the sport. “
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