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Assuming Khabib Nurmagomedov keeps his word, the undefeated “Eagle” will vacate his lightweight title and retire from mixed martial arts (MMA) in the wake of his Justin Gaethje victory at UFC 254 last weekend in Abu Dhabi. That means Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be forced to find a couple of worthy contenders to collide for the strap, and you can bet former champion Conor McGregor will be part of that conversation.
Speaking of “Notorious,” the bookies over at BetOnline.ag have pegged the power-punching Irishman as the odds-on betting favorite to capture the vacant crown, with former interim champion Dustin Poirier nipping at his heels. Perhaps their upcoming showdown — which is still in the planning stages — can be contested for the 155-pound title.
Here are the latest UFC odds:
Next UFC Lightweight Champion
Conor McGregor: 1/1
Dustin Poirier: 2/1
Tony Ferguson: 6/1
Michael Chandler: 7/1
Justin Gaethje: 9/1
Charles Oliveira: 12/1
GSP: 25/1
Will Khabib fight in the UFC by Dec. 31st 2021?
Yes: +300 (3/1)
No: -500 (1/5)
Khabib’s Next Opponent
GSP: 3/2
Conor McGregor: 3/1
Kamaru Usman: 5/1
Tony Ferguson: 6/1
Floyd Mayweather: 9/1
Michael Chandler: 9/1
Jorge Masvidal: 10/1
Manny Pacquiao: 20/1
McGregor lost to Nurmagomedov by way of fourth-round submission in the UFC 229 main event roughly two years back and has competed just once during that span, a welterweight victory over longtime “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone in Las Vegas.
For more on Nurmagomedov’s retirement click here.