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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103953/ufc-khabib-says-dana-white-has-something Mixed Martial Arts
UFC: Khabib says Dana White has ‘something special’ planned for him after Justin Gaethje
- Lightweight champ reveals UFC president White has ‘very big things’ lined up after Fight Island
- ‘We have a couple of options we are gonna think about after this fight,’ says Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks to the media after beating Dustin Poirier. Photo: Reuters
UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov has run roughshod on most of the contenders in the division, so it’s no surprise he’s uncertain of his future.
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have already fallen. Asked what would be next for him if he beats interim champ Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on October 24, the Russian paused.
“Very good question, I don’t know,” Nurmagomedov told a virtual media day. “For example, I’m gonna finish Justin Gaethje inside the cage October 24, what else … this is very good question.
“We’ll see. I love competing with the best fighters in the world. That’s why I’m here. I’m not in UFC to make money, I have lot of business projects outside the UFC, I can make money.”
Nurmagomedov could still fight “El Cucuy” Tony Ferguson – their match-up fell apart for a fifth time because of the coronavirus pandemic in April, with Gaethje going on to shock “El Cucuy” with a fifth-round TKO at UFC 249.
The retired legend Georges St-Pierre, a former UFC welterweight and middleweight champ, has been touted as a dream fight that Nurmagomedov’s father and coach Abdulmanap, who died in July from complications of contracting Covid-19, had long hoped to see.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson at a UFC 249 press conference in March 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
“We have a couple of options we gonna think about after this fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “Dana told me after this fight he has something special for me.
“But I told him please keep this, after the fight we gonna talk. He said he have very big things after this fight for me.”
Those big things are unlikely to involve Nurmagomedov coach rival teams with Conor McGregor on the new series of the revived reality television show The Ultimate Fighter.
Justin Gaethje celebrates after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Photo: USA TODAY Sports
White told Barstool Sports this week that “The Eagle” had agreed to the proposal – before McGregor “blew it” by leaking pictures of private messages between himself and the UFC president.
“You know, right now I’m focused on Justin Gaethje, October 24,” Nurmagomedov added, when asked about the speculation.
“I don’t underestimate this guy, very tough opponent. He follow his dream, he’s very hungry. Just beat a very tough opponent [Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May].”