UFC: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager hits back at Conor McGregor coach’s title claim in fiery response

John Kavanagh says he doesn’t understand why lightweight title isn’t on the line in Dustin Poirier fight at UFC 257

‘Because Khabib choke your guy like a chicken and the whole team got beat up after the fight,’ responds Ali Abdelaziz

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Khabib Nurmagomedov is held back outside the cage after fighting Conor McGregor in a lightweight title bout at UFC 229. Photo: AP

Published: 2:52pm, 29 Dec 2020Updated: 2:52pm, 29 Dec 2020

John Kavanagh is clearly in the camp of those who think Conor McGregor’s UFC 257 main event against Dustin Poirier should be for the lightweight title.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) has not officially vacated his 155-pound belt, despite announcing his retirement in the Octagon after submitting Justin Gaethje (22-3) in the second round of the UFC 254 main event on Fight Island.

UFC president Dana White is hoping to convince the Dagestan native to come back and fulfil his late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s dream by going 30-0.

The pair will meet next month – crucially, before McGregor (22-4) and Poirier (26-6) rematch on January 23 in Abu Dhabi – and the Irishman’s coach is perplexed why a new champ is not being crowned.

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“I don’t really get why this one isn’t for the title, if I’m being 100 per cent honest,” Kavanagh told TheMacLife. “Maybe it’s Dana – this is a little carrot towards Khabib. I don’t know.