Tag: Firas Zahabi

Firas Zahabi Wants McGregor vs. Diaz Trilogy For 165-Pound Title

One of the biggest questions lingering over the mixed martial arts (MMA) world at the moment is “who will fight Conor McGregor next?” Many options have been thrown out, including the likes of Jorge Masvidal, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and more. However, another option has been whispered about as well. […]

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One of the biggest questions lingering over the mixed martial arts (MMA) world at the moment is “who will fight Conor McGregor next?”

Many options have been thrown out, including the likes of Jorge Masvidal, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and more. However, another option has been whispered about as well. That being the long-awaited trilogy bout between the Irishman and Nate Diaz. This is exactly what longtime MMA coach Firas Zahabi would like to see, as he explained in a recent AMA session. (H/T Bloody Elbow)

“I love that idea (of Conor McGregor) fighting Nate Diaz again at 170 or 155,” Zahabi said. “Either way, it doesn’t bother me, even a catchweight, 165. Why not start a new title, a new belt, a new championship title?

“Super lightweight, 165, Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz. I would tune in. I think a five rounder with a belt on the line to settle this epic trilogy fight would be phenomenal. I would love to see that fight. I think it’s a great great possibility.”

McGregor and Diaz first fought back at UFC 196 in 2016. There, Diaz handed McGregor the first loss of his UFC career by submitting the Irishman in the second round of their welterweight bout. It was a tough blow for McGregor, who bounced back months later by rematching Diaz at welterweight with a majority decision win. After the fight, McGregor said he’d love to do the trilogy bout with Diaz, but at lightweight.

However, since then, McGregor and Diaz have fought several more times, Diaz fighting his last two fights at 170 pounds, with no intention of making the cut back down to 155 pounds anytime soon. McGregor seems to be enjoying the extra weight at welterweight as well. He recently made his return to Octagon action this past weekend in the UFC 246 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner. McGregor knocked out Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in the main event of the evening at welterweight.

“Notorious” has also expressed interest in going after the division’s championship as well, which is currently held by Kamaru Usman. As for whether or not a trilogy bout with Diaz will happen next, that remains to be seen, however, fights against Nurmagomedov or Masvidal seem like the most likely scenarios for the Irishman moving forward.

Do you want to see McGregor and Diaz finish their trilogy next?

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GSP Breaks Down Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone

Georges St-Pierre has given his take on Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone. McGregor and Cerrone are set to collide on Jan. 18. The welterweight bout will headline UFC 246 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many experts and fight fans are s…

Georges St-Pierre has given his take on Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone. McGregor and Cerrone are set to collide on Jan. 18. The welterweight bout will headline UFC 246 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many experts and fight fans are saying that McGregor’s best shot against Cerrone is to finish him early, […]

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Firas Zahabi Would Be Suprised If Khabib Landed More Than One Takedown Against GSP

Firas Zahabi believes a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre is something than possibly can happen. He says his pupil isn’t done fighting and knows that fight is something that interests him. “I think so. I think it’s a possibi…

Firas Zahabi believes a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre is something than possibly can happen. He says his pupil isn’t done fighting and knows that fight is something that interests him. “I think so. I think it’s a possibility,” Zahabi told fightTips recently (via MMA Fighting). “Listen, I don’t want to talk for the guy […]

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Firas Zahabi Says ‘Nutcase’ Georges St-Pierre ‘Can Kill Anybody’

Firas Zahabi believes Georges St-Pierre has the right amount of crazy in him that he could kill anyone. Zahabi is St-Pierre’s longtime coach at Tristar Gym. While St-Pierre retired earlier this year, Zahabi still believes “Rush” is an…

Firas Zahabi believes Georges St-Pierre has the right amount of crazy in him that he could kill anyone. Zahabi is St-Pierre’s longtime coach at Tristar Gym. While St-Pierre retired earlier this year, Zahabi still believes “Rush” is an animal who will be ready if he decides to make a return. St-Pierre hasn’t competed since Nov. […]

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Johnny Walker Reportedly Considering Move To Tristar Gym With Firas Zahabi

UFC light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker could move to Tristar gym for his next fight camp. Walker enjoyed a meteoric rise since debuting for the promotion in 2018. However, his most recent outing saw him suffer a shock first-round TKO defeat to Corey Anderson at UFC 244 last month. Wanting to return to action as […]

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UFC light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker could move to Tristar gym for his next fight camp.

Walker enjoyed a meteoric rise since debuting for the promotion in 2018. However, his most recent outing saw him suffer a shock first-round TKO defeat to Corey Anderson at UFC 244 last month.

Wanting to return to action as soon as possible, the Brazilian is looking to compete at UFC Brasilia which takes place March 14 with Nikita Krylov being a rumored opponent. And to further boost his chances of returning to the win column, he is reportedly in talks with Firas Zahabi about holding his camp at Tristar.

“Spoke to Firas Zahabi (@Firas_Zahabi) this morning,” Okamoto tweeted. “He told me he’s been talking to Johnny Walker (@Johnnywalkermma) about holding his next camp at Tristar in Montreal. Interesting move for the 205er.”

Zahabi, of course, is the head coach of Tristar in Montreal who has trained the likes of Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald. Kevin Lee made the full-time move there recently and the result was a first-round knockout of Gregor Gillespie last month.

Training under Zahabi could see Walker go up another level.

What do you think of Walker training under Zahabi at Tristar?

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Firas Zahabi Wants ‘GSP’ vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov At 165 Pounds

Georges St-Pierre has since retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition (again), but has noted he’s open to returning if the UFC grants him his dream fight against lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. It seems “GSP” is holding out hope, because according to longtime head coach Firas Zahabi, who was recently a guest on “The Joe […]

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Georges St-Pierre has since retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition (again), but has noted he’s open to returning if the UFC grants him his dream fight against lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

It seems “GSP” is holding out hope, because according to longtime head coach Firas Zahabi, who was recently a guest on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” St-Pierre is still in the gym training all the time. (H/T MMA Fighting)

“All the time,” Zahabi said. “He’s a machine. Dude, I’m telling you, if Usman or Colby gets injured . . . I don’t want to talk for Georges but man, he can kill anybody. He can kill anybody this man. He’s the world’s greatest martial artist. He’s a monster. I was just training with him Saturday.

“He loves to train. Saturday he trained, he finished all his rounds, and then he coached some blue belts and purple belts, just kind of hanging out with them, talking technique. The guy loves this stuff.”

Zahabi noted “GSP” no longer has the desire to be champion, or compete as often as four times a year. However, he does believe the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion might be able to lure the Canadian phenom back into the Octagon with a megafight offer.

“It has to be, in my opinion – I don’t want to talk for him, but I think the thing that’s going to motivate him is a megafight,” Zahabi said. “He doesn’t want to be champion again and fight every three-four months. That’s done. It’s not gonna happen no more. But one megafight.

“Invite him back for a megafight and see if you could entice him because he’s a competitor. He’s still training, he’s still ripped, shredded, fighting. He can do five rounds. Maybe he can’t do five rounds right away but he [only] needs a few weeks and then he’s doing five rounds. He’s close to being there. He can get in fight shape. He’s just a monster.”

As for what fight that could be, exactly, Zahabi had a fast, and straight-forward answer.

“165. Khabib,” Zahabi said.

Do you think St-Pierre vs. Nurmagomedov at 165 pounds would be a good fight for the UFC to book?

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