Since a bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson’s been scrapped again, Dana White has said the lightweight champ will face the winner of Ferguson – Justin Gaethje after summer. But, it doesn’t sound like we’ll see White betting his fortune on Khabib vs. Ferguson going down in 2020.
White’s “not very” confident Nurmagomedov – Ferguson happens this year
Nurmagomedov and Ferguson were booked to fight on April 18th, before a coronavirus travel ban stranded the champ in Russia. It marked the fifth time a fight between Khabib and Ferguson has been canceled.
Fast forward to today, and Ferguson is booked to fight Gaethje on May 9th for an interim belt, and White’s said Khabib will face the winner.
Well, more recently, White reportedly participated in a Reddit Q&A. The UFC President was asked how confident he is that Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson will happen this year, and he wrote this (quote via MMA Fighting).
“Not very. I’m afraid what will happen if we try to make that fight happen again.”
Now, sure, if you’ve been hoping to see Khabib and Ferguson finally throw down, this comment could be unsettling. But, based off history, you can understand why White said what he did.
It also sounds like he’s making a bit of a joke here too.
White wants to see Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor II
During the Q&A, White was also apparently asked about what rematch he wants to see, and he wrote:
“I would have to say Conor [vs.] Khabib. Conor wants that rematch so bad and I would love to see it.”
This also shouldn’t come as a surprise. After McGregor beat Donald Cerrone in January, White said the star had earned a title shot. Even though Khabib has repeatedly said McGregor will need to record more wins, before he agrees to fight him again.
Also, it seems unlikely that White would suggest Khabib’s next bout come against McGregor, as Ferguson and Gaethje get set to fight for an interim belt (and further, White has said the winner of that fight will face Nurmagomedov).
Further, McGregor has repeatedly said that he wants to stay active and doesn’t want to wait out for a title shot.
But, you just never know right? Maybe the UFC will push for Khabib – McGregor II? The promotion has been forced to postpone several shows on account of the pandemic, and the UFC likely won’t be earning any gate revenue for a while yet.
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