by King Hazard
Regardless of all the last minute changes, UFC 223 still turned out to be an exciting fight card last night in Brooklyn. Khabib Nurmagomedov became the official UFC lightweight after five exhaustive rounds with Al Iaquinta.
Following his dominant win over the American, the champion threw a curveball during his post-fight interview on Saturday night. Instead of calling out his rivals Conor McGregor or Tony Ferguson, the Russian-Dagestani mixed martial artist told the crowd he is interested in a superfight with the legendary Georges St-Pierre.
In fact, Nurmagomedov hopes to square off with GSP at the Madison Square Garden in November. During the UFC 223 post-fight conference, he even clarified the weight class he would face the Canadian at.
No, please, not 170, with Georges St-Pierre? No. When I talk with my father one year ago he told me his dream fight is me vs. Georges St-Pierre. I remember when I grow up, like 11, 12 years ago, when I compete in combat sambo, junior combat sambo Dagestan championship, he fight for the UFC title. When I grew up, I watch his fights, all fights with my father, and he greatest athlete who ever compete in UFC. Middleweight, welterweight champion. And I hear about he want to come and fight in 155, take this belt, make history, become UFC three-division champion.
Nurmagomedov added,
Why not? Me vs. Georges St-Pierre. If I beat Conor or if I beat Georges St-Pierre, which one is better for my legacy? Maybe for money, it’s Conor, but for legacy it’s Georges St-Pierre. But we don’t know about money too because me vs. Georges St-Pierre is going to be a big fight.
However, GSP shut down that idea on Sunday morning when Ariel Helwani from MMAfighting.com ask him about the fight.
GSP said,
I feel UFC and Khabib got unfinished business before I try to make a step in here to go for the 155 title.
As GSP mentioned, perhaps there’s too much unfinished business in the 155-pound division for him to step in at the moment, but who knows what will happen when McGregor returns in the near future. Maybe that will spark his interest even more.
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