It is hard to know who is next in line to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt following his dismantling of Conor McGregor at UFC 229.
So what’s next for Khabib?
Obviously a fight against Tony Ferguson would be off the charts, and El Cucuy has done more than enough to warrant a shot at the lightweight belt.
However, this fight has fallen through on so many occasions that it is hard to fathom that Dana White will attempt to make it for the sixth time!
However, there is one fight to make that would have UFC fans’ pulses racing and that is Khabib Nurmagomedov against two-division champion and pound for pound great, Georges St. Pierre.
There have been rumours about a potential match up between the pair following St. Pierre’s perceived weight loss. A lot of fans believe the Canadian is testing the waters about a potential move to lightweight.
Georges St-Pierre looks about ready to challenge the winner of Khabib-McGregor. #UFC pic.twitter.com/YkJZUbCCac
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) September 3, 2018
GSP was on a guest of the Ariel Helwani MMA show yesterday and discussed his career going forward. The former welterweight king no longer has his eyes set on UFC gold, but instead super fights.
“The motivation is not the same that it used to be. I don’t have the same motivation to go (through) the lineup again and to fight my way up to another title. I’m done with this. I’ve done it for so many years.”
“You reach a point in you career where you want to do things different. That’s why this (last) fight with Bisping was different, because it was a super fight. For me, that’s what I look for.”
The Canadian fighter spoke about his medical condition. St. Pierre was diagnosed with colitis after his middleweight title victory at UFC 217, he admitted he needs some more time to beat the condition before he considers fighting again.
“The big issue for fighting for me is the symptoms of colitis. I have to get ride of my medication. Once I get the dose down to where I want it to be I’ll make the decision. Right now I’m not ready to sign a fight deal as we speak. Mentally, I don’t want to fight right now.”
The one fight that does excite the former champion is Khabib Nurmagomedov, due to the Russian’s undefeated record which GSP admitted presents him with a challenge that he would like to overcome.
“The thing that excites me the most is when I could be the first to do something. When something cannot be done and people doubt me. He’s a great champion, and in terms of legacy, I can’t think of a better fighter right now who has a better legacy than Khabib.”
GSP stated he still has a competitive streak that wants let out, and given the right match up, we could well see him return to the Octagon in the near future.
“The competitor inside of me wants me to return sometime. I want to return as a competitor but I need to listen to the logic as well. It needs to be worth it.”
