White's hopes and Ferguson's critic

The return to the octagon of the Russian MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov is hoped not only by his fans around the world, but also by UFC President Dana White.

The other day, the head of the promotion told ESPN that he plans to face the lightweight champion in the near future and will do everything possible to persuade him to hold another fight.

“As a promoter, you always want to see the best guys in the world.

At the same time, if a fighter wants to end his career, then perhaps this is what he should do ... With Khabib, the difference is that he went through a lot, and the loss of his father was a huge blow to him.

On the other hand, it was my father who wanted him to bring his winning streak to 30-0, ”White said.

At the same time, the head of the UFC shed light on the fate of the championship belt, if its current owner does not change his decision.

According to him, in this case, Conor McGregor will fight for the title - if he manages to defeat Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, which will be held on January 23 on "Fight Island" in Abu Dhabi.

Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko also spoke about a possible repetition of a striking fight two years ago.

He suggested that at the moment Nurmagomedov is not ready to return to the octagon, but sooner or later this will happen.

“It's hard for me to say for which opponent he would return.

For example, I have heard what people say about his fight with Georges Saint-Pierre.

I'm not a fan of him, but that would be interesting.

The fight with Tony Ferguson is no longer relevant, because Charles Oliveira appeared ... And the rematch with Conor would be a bomb because of the scuffle that took place after the fight.

There is a lot of unsaid.

The fight is over, there is a winner and a loser, but there were even more questions, "Shlemenko said in an interview with the Telesport YouTube channel.

As for other potential rivals of Nurmagomedov, Michael Chandler reiterated his desire to meet with him.

According to him, it is he who is now one of the main contenders for the belt, so he is ready to fight for him either with the Russian or with the winner of the McGregor-Poirier fight.

In turn, the manager of the Russian fighter Ali Abdel-Aziz told Boxing Scene about the failed deal with the team of the undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather.

According to him, an MMA fighter was allegedly offered $ 100 million for a meeting according to the rules of boxing.

“Dana White was in favor, everyone was in favor.

But, you know, Khabib is an MMA fighter.

If Floyd wanted to come and fight in the octagon to get his ass kicked, no problem, ”Abdel-Aziz said.

Meanwhile, disputes about the "greatness" of the Russian do not subside.

In particular, Ferguson questioned the significance of Nurmagomedov's record streak of 29 victories in mixed martial arts (13 of them in the UFC).

According to the American, it is not entirely correct to count the results of the fights of a Russian before he entered the Absolute Fighting Championship, since most of the fights in other promotions were limited by the regulations to two rounds.

However, former UFC middleweight champion Mike Bisping did not agree with this position.

According to him, in the Absolute Fighting Championship, Nurmagomedov prevailed over such strong rivals that his previous achievements are not so important.

“I want to say that you gradually reach this level.

When I started in the UFC - sorry, professional mixed martial arts - my first opponent was not that good.

You gradually raise your bar and start fighting the best fighters when you reach their level.

You shouldn't fight such rivals at the beginning of your career, ”Bisping quoted BJPenn as saying.

Match with Makhachev and Mendes' memories

Nurmagomedov himself has not yet commented on rumors about his possible return to the octagon or a possible rematch with McGregor.

After completing his career, he continues to help the fighters of his sports club in Dagestan.

So, in early January, Khabib sparred with his cousins ​​Usman and Umar, who play in Bellator and the UFC, respectively.

In addition, Khabib devotes his free time to another favorite sport - football.

The other day he flew to Dubai, where he took part in a friendly football match with the participation of MMA fighters, sports stars and other famous personalities.

One of the teams was led by Nurmagomedov himself, the other - by his friend and colleague in the UFC lightweight division Islam Makhachev.

However, it was not so easy to determine the result of the meeting, since both fighters, in their usual humorous manner, insisted that victory remained with each of them.

“This is our squad, there was nothing unusual, just our team was more disciplined, we held the ball and played pass, and the opponents lacked cohesion and a little experience.

We have not yet had the main player, whom our rivals turned off from the system back in Makhachkala.

So we dedicate this victory to him, ”Nurmagomedov said.

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Publication from Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov)

In turn, Makhachev claimed that his team “tore Khabib and the players,” and urged not to believe the words of his colleague.

In response, Nurmagomedov compared Islam to McGregor, calling him a "chicken".

On the eve of the match, the UFC champion spoke via video link with Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he has a friendly relationship.

Makhachev, who witnessed the conversation, suggested that the athletes were discussing the possible strengthening of Nurmagomedov's team.

📱 @Cristiano ✖️ @TeamKhabib 📞



🎥 @ MAKHACHEVMMApic.twitter.com / cjKoprhI7Q

- 433 (@ 433) January 9, 2021

However, the composition of the Khabib team was joined by another famous football player.

Nurmagomedov met with four-time Champions League winner, former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf.

“This guy was my dad's favorite footballer.

Nice to meet you, my friend, ”Nurmagomedov signed a joint photo with Seedorf.

In response, Clarence called Khabib "a true legend and a gentleman" and wished that his late father would continue to guide him from heaven both in sports and in life.

Many representatives of mixed martial arts have repeatedly noted that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov achieved success thanks to his strict but fair approach.

One of the moments demonstrating his character was told by Khabib's coach Javier Mendes.

“For all the time I have not had a single negative moment with him.

Never.

Although no, there was one.

Somehow I was late.

Just a little bit, about five minutes.

And Manap looked at me with a very hard look.

I saw in this look: "Javier, you need to be more responsible."

He was giving off that boss aura.

I immediately felt guilty, "- Mendes quotes" Championship "with a link to the Combat Challenge YouTube channel.

We add that during his stay in Dubai, Khabib Nurmagomedov received an unusual gift.

He became a guest of the world famous Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir, who presented him with a big cake in the form of the UFC champion belt.

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Publication from Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov)