Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t like the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s decision to book Conor McGregor against Donald Cerrone on his much-awaited return to the cage.
McGregor and Cerrone headlined the UFC 246 fight card last January 18 in Las Vegas as the Irishman came back to professional fighting after 15 months of hiatus.
Anticipated as a barnburner clash, ‘The Notorious’ turned the night into a short affair as he finished the MMA veteran just 40 seconds into the opening round using shoulder strikes, a head kick, and ground-and-pound.
It was the second fastest victory in McGregor’s MMA career and his first win in three years, which saw him recovered from a disappointing loss to Nurmagomedov back in October 2018.
More importantly, the win sets him up to a lightweight rematch with the Russian champion, who recently criticized the promotion’s choice of opponent for McGregor’s return bout.
Harsh But Accurate
The undisputed lightweight champ believes the UFC played the game on choosing the opponent for the Irish star.
While Khabib agrees that Cerrone is a legend of the sport, he also thinks the MMA veteran was not a much of challenge for McGregor, given his win-loss record in the past ten fights.
“People started talking about the rematch. Even though Cerrone lost 7 of his last 10 fights” he said, (per MMA Rus Context).
“A guy fights 10 times, and losses 7 of them (grinningly), and they call him a world class fighter, a legend.”
“Okay, let him be a legend. But he was done a long time ago.”
“Maybe it was harsh, but it was accurate. I’ve just foresaw it. How properly they (UFC) played it. How properly they chose the opponent.”
“People gasped, why? Because 90% of the people who watch MMA, doesn’t understand the sport, they just watch it.”
“They know their (athletes) names and that’s it.”
Not Understandable
With UFC president Dana White serious about pursuing the lightweight rematch, ‘The Eagle’ says McGregor is not a worthy contender for the title.
“We’re talking about the title contenders. A guy who will fight for the title.”
“There are other fighters proving themselves again and again with their performances, with their wins. They are the contenders.
“But they (UFC and Conor) took the other road. They took the way, that is understandable for the people, but not understandable for the experts.”
Nurmagomedov, who remains undefeated in 28 outings, has also shot down rumours of receiving a $100 million offer to fight McGregor in Saudi Arabia.
“Why do I need that kind of money, there are so many organizations for example (gestures to the room).”
“There’s not only football for the blind, there’s Sambo and other sports.”
“Let [the UFC] give it to them, if they don’t know what to do with the money.”
“But giving me $100m to beat up that idiot again? I don’t think that’s rational.”
Khabib is set to defend his title this April against Tony Ferguson as they meet in the main event of UFC 249. A win for the Russian will pave the way for the McGregor rematch.
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Donald Cerrone, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor)