Khabib Nurmagomedov dismisses potential rematch with Conor McGregor
After UFC president Dana White talked up the possibility of a rematch between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, the promotion’s undefeated lightweight champion has rejected the proposal.
Speaking at a press conference in Dagestan, translated by RT Sport, Nurmagomedov addressed White’s comments but refused to look past his upcoming UFC 249 opponent Tony Ferguson.
“I have a fight on April 18 – a very serious fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “For the past month and a half, I’ve been consistently training day and night. I’ve gotten myself in good shape to where I’m supposed to be 70 days before a fight. I feel great.
“What’ll happen after the fight, no one knows. I don’t worry about it. That’s what (the UFC) want. I’m surprised that people even question me about a rematch. It seems that people want to continue the festivities after that fight.
“Everyone saw what happened in the octagon (against McGregor). I controlled the fight every step of the way. I did everything I wanted to him. He even gave up. How can we even discuss a rematch? We can only talk about continuing the festivities and making money. The question is, do I want that? I am focused on Tony Ferguson.”
‘The Eagle’ would also respond to talk that a rematch between the pair could be held in Saudi Arabia with a $100m purse bid rumoured.
“Why do I need that kind of money?” Nurmagomedov hypothesised. “There are so many organizations. For example, 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 $100 million for me to beat up that idiot again? I don’t think that’s rational.”