Firas Zahabi also says that GSP vs Khabib would be a ‘mega-fight’
Before UFC 229, a lot of people were talking about a possible match up between two of the most popular MMA fighters in Georges St-Pierre and Conor McGregor. It’s a contest that didn’t seem to interest the Irishman too much then, and after the results from his last bout, seems even more unlikely to happen now.
But how does GSP’s coach think that much talked about fight plays out? Firas Zahabi says it probably ends up worse for McGregor than what Khabib did to him.
“I think GSP would do much of the same, even more than what Khabib did,” Zahabi said on a recent live chat. “GSP has an explosive shot from the outside, and he understands — he has a better range. He has a longer range for his takedowns, a longer range for his striking.
“His submissions and ground and pound and jiujitsu, it’s very similar to Khabib. They’re very strong wrestlers, but GSP can do it all from a longer range, further range,” he explained.
“And GSP is very familiar with what McGregor does, that karate, taekwondo, kickboxing hybrid style. That’s stuff we grew up with, so we know that very very well,” he said. “We do a lot of that. We’re very familiar with those teeps, those counter lefts, very familiar with those kind of stuff.”
Related: Zahabi: Conor McGregor got away with so many fouls against Khabib
As for a possible match up between St-Pierre and Khabib, Zahabi thinks that would be a massive contest after the lightweight champ’s stock rose considerably after UFC 229.
“Khabib (vs GSP) would be a mega fight. It would, definitely,” he said. “If they did it for 155, or I’m hearing now a 165 lb title, that would make sense — or 170. Whatever it is, just those two names, would probably beat McGregor vs Khabib. Because of this win, Khabib now is going to be more famous than ever. Khabib is going to be the biggest name in the lightweight division for a while.”