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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White has already proclaimed Tony Ferguson to be Khabib Nurmagomedov’s next challenge; which will then go to Conor McGregor if “El Cucuy” isn’t ready to rumble.
But “The Eagle’s” manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has other plans. According to the outspoken handler to several notable fighters, the fight to make next is one against former UFC Middleweight and Welterweight champion, George St-Pierre.
“Nobody really cares about what Tony says,” Abdelaziz tells TMZ Sports (via MMA Junkie). “Nobody gives a (expletive) really. As far as I know, GSP is next. That is what I want. Tony doesn’t get what he wants. We get what Khabib wants, and if Khabib calls me and says he wants Georges St-Pierre, Georges St-Pierre will be next.”
Interestingly enough, Dana didn’t scoff at the idea (this time around) of a title fight between Khabib and “Rush” when asked about it during UFC 242 fight week, simply saying “sure,” regarding Khabib’s chances of facing the all-time great.
According to Ali, a fight against a legend like St-Pierre is simply too good to pass up when compared to trying to book a fight against Ferguson for a fifth time.
“Georges is my friend for 10 years, and I know Georges wants to fight Khabib,” Abdelaziz said. “If you’re going to compare Tony Ferguson, he beat a whole bunch of guys, but he never been a champion.”
“I’m talking about if Khabib is going to fight for legacy, a fight with Georges St-Pierre will be a huge fight. Dana White is a business man. That’s why he’s the best promoter of all time. I think him and Georges St-Pierre make a lot more money and more headlines. People will care more. It’s a fight for who is the greatest of all time.”
While not too many people will oppose to the idea of a Khabib vs St-Pierre superfight, you can expect several objections should Ferguson be passed up, yet again. At the end of the day, however, Dana White and Co. do have the final word, so if it’s Ferguson they want, that is what will likely be next for “The Eagle.”