Coach Firas Zahabi has given his verdict on a potential fight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov and predicts a win for the retired Canadian.
St-Pierre retired from MMA back in February and has been reluctant to discuss a potential comeback.
But his head coach has been more open and has now opened up about the prospect of a super-fight between GSP and Khabib.
‘Far Superior’
Talking to FightTIPS, Zahabi said: “There’s no way I can tell you, I’m biased.”
Zahabi went on express his confidence that should the fight happen, St-Pierre would take the victory.
He continued: “I think Georges, just his kicking ability alone, Georges’ kicking ability alone would win him rounds,”
“They’re both good jabbers, I think Khabib is a good jabber but I think defensively Georges is far superior. Defensively.”
“His boxing is longer and better, more precise. If you look at it statistically I think Georges’ numbers are better. And he has a superior kicking ability.”
And even if Khabib did manage to break down GSP’s defences, Zahabi believes the 38-year-old would bounce straight back.
“Even if Khabib were to take Georges down, let’s give the best case scenario,” he said.
“Georges is going to get back up. Personally, he’s going to get back up.”
“Georges’ jiu-jitsu is impeccable. It’s not going to be like holding down anyone in the 155 pound division today. It’s another level.”
St-Pierre is a two-division champion, having held the welterweight and middleweight titles, and is widely considered as one of the UFC’s best fighters.
Admiration
Zahabi offered his admiration to Khabib, but maintained that he would be no match for the resilience of GSP.
He went on: “Even if he gets him down – and I’m a mega Khabib fan, as a person and a fighter, huge fan – Georges’ ability to get up is incredible, and I’d be surprised if Khabib gets more than one takedown.”
“It would shock me. It would surprise me.”
“Georges is incredibly hard to take down.”
“Look at his career, how many times has he been taken down? And how long did he stay down? It’s like a fraction of a second, he’s always up. He’s a difficult human being to keep down.”
When asked about the likelihood of a return to the Octagon, the coach was reluctant to answer on behalf of St-Pierre, but did say it would depend heavily on the right opponent.
He said: “I don’t want to speak for the guy. I don’t think he’s done.”
“I just think he’s so competitive that one day he’s going to see a guy that everyone thinks is unbeatable and then he’s going to want to come back.”
“Khabib is one of those guys. But it’d have to be a 165 pound fight. Will the UFC do it, that’s the question.”
Meanwhile, Khabib has recently revealed details of his own retirement plans.
Truly Special
A comeback for one of the UFC’s highest-regarded fighters would be big news.
And a match-up with Khabib Nurmagomedov would have the potential to be truly special.
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov)