Ali Abdelaziz reacts as UFC confirms Khabib vs Justin Gaethje – ‘I’m sad one is gonna lose’

Dominance MMA Management CEO, who looks after both fighters, says ‘the fans are gonna be the winners’ after UFC makes title fight official

‘I don’t cheer for my people if they fight each other … I’ll be on the sidelines,’ adds Abdelaziz

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Ali Abdelaziz (centre) at a Dominance MMA Management media day in Las Vegas with some his stars including Kamaru Usman (left) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (right). Photos: Amy Kaplan

Published: 12:38pm, 29 Jul 2020Updated: 10:50pm, 29 Jul 2020

Ali Abdelaziz has admitted his loyalties will be split when Justin Gaethje challenges UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov on October 24.

The UFC made the fight official on Tuesday night, and Dominance MMA Management CEO Abdelaziz, who looks after both fighters, gave his reaction in an interview with SCMP MMA’s Post Fight.

“I’m always blessed to be in a position to work with two great athletes, two great human beings. Just two great people,” Abdelaziz said. “I love both of the guys.

“I don’t cheer for my people if they fight each other. Henry Cejudo fought Marlon Moraes, I’m on the sidelines. Kamaru [Usman] will be fighting Gilbert Burns, I’ll be on the sidelines.

“They’re the best of the best. They’re two world champions. They’re gonna unify the belts and I think the fans are gonna be the winners. It’s sad to see one is gonna lose but this is part of the game. We all have to lose one time in our lives.

“As far as Khabib, he hasn’t lost yet. It’s gonna be a really, really tough challenge for him and I think it’s gonna be an unbelievable fight.”