The UFC’s lightweight champion wants to face Georges St-Pierre next, but GSP apparently intends to retire instead.
News broke early Wednesday morning that legendary former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is set to announce his retirement on Thursday morning in Montreal, reportedly because of failed negotiations for a fight with current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. As GSP is reportedly ready to officially call it a career, Khabib is making a last-ditch effort to change his mind.
Nurmagomedov wrote a statement on Instagram asking for St-Pierre to fight him in November, the month when Khabib plans to make his return to the Octagon. He even went as far as to concede a catchweight, given the fact that GSP has never fought below welterweight in his illustrious career.
“Let’s do it in November,” Khabib said. “After this fight you can retire. I grow up on your fights, and have nothing but respect for you, and I believe showed that to you George [sic] when you were in Moscow. But, it would be honor for me to share Octagon with one of the greatest fighters of all time.”
“Let’s do it [at] 155 lbs, or I give away 5lbs to you, cause you [never] done 155,” he continued. “Well, it’s your choice 155 or 160, Montreal, NYC, Moscow or Abu Dhabi.
“Send me location my Friend.”
I’m sure this will be received quite well by actual lightweight contenders such as Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier.
The undefeated Nurmagomedov is suspended for nine months by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) for his role in the UFC 229 post-fight brawl, immediately following his submission win over Conor McGregor. If he does an anti-bullying PSA, it’ll be reduced to six months and he’d be cleared to return in April. Regardless, Khabib wants to sit out for one year, the length of the UFC 229 brawl suspensions for his teammates Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, hence his desire to fight in November.