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Dana White has admitted that although Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson must happen, the Russian could face GSP if that fight falls through.
UFC president Dana White has echoed all our thoughts that a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson has to happen next, but he also said if that falls through Khabib vs Georges St-Pierre is a possibility.
The undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov recently defended his title for the second time when he submitted Dustin Poirier in the third round at UFC 242 earlier this month. Meanwhile, the former interim champ Ferguson extended his unbeaten run to twelve in June of this year when he defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 238.
White recently spoke to TMZ Sports about how Khabib vs Ferguson ‘makes sense’ next.
“Tony Ferguson is the fight that needs to happen,” White said. “We’ve tried to do it four other times, so hopefully we can get it done this time. But that’s the fight that makes sense.
Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib’s manager, recently said that they are not pursuing a fight with Ferguson, instead eyeing a fight with St-Pierre next. Both Nurmagomedov and St-Pierre have spoken about fighting each other in the past, but nothing has ever been booked.
“That can happen, too,” White said. “We’ll see what happens with Tony. Tony’s had opportunities before that he didn’t take, so if he doesn’t, then I would be interested in talking about ‘GSP.’”