As it stands right now, it looks like the odds of Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov ever fighting are pretty slim. But, the way “GSP” looks at it, the fact the all-star fight probably won’t happen is kind of a compliment.

St-Pierre discusses why he thinks bout with Nurmagomedov didn’t happen

After St-Pierre vacated the middleweight title he took from Michael Bisping in 2017, due to a battle with ulcerative colitis, he relayed only a fight that enhanced his legacy further would return him to the Octagon.

In the proceeding months, St-Pierre made it clear he was interested in fighting Nurmagmedov. The lightweight champ also repeatedly said he was down to fight “GSP”.

But, for some time, UFC President Dana White shot down the idea, by citing the fact GSP never defended the middleweight title. It wasn’t until last year, after St-Pierre had retired that White said the bout could be a possibility.

Well, recently St-Pierre spoke with ESPN, and while discussing the fact a fight with Khabib never materialized, he said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I know Khabib wanted to have that fight, I want it, but the thing is, if you look from the UFC’s side, I think it’s normal if I put myself in their shoes,” St-Pierre said.

“They didn’t want to take the risk of me winning the title and then after vacating again. I didn’t even want it for the title, I would rather do it not for a title.

For me, it was because I considered Khabib, right now, the best fighter in the world, and he wanted to fight me as well so I thought it was a good fan fight.”

“They had other plans for Khabib and I understand that,” said St-Pierre. “They had a lot to lose and if they invest into that fight and their investment goes out after, it’s not a good move.

“In a way, I could take that as a compliment because maybe they saw me as a threat for them. That means maybe they thought I could win the fight.

If they let me fight him, it’s because they think I would have lost. So that’s why.”

Hard to disagree

White was initially, pretty upfront about the fact he didn’t want St-Pierre winning the belt and then just walking away. If they didn’t think GSP had a legitimate chance at beating Khabib, then that wouldn’t have been a significant concern.

Others also questioned, however, whether White’s relationship with St-Pierre played a role in that stance. At various times in the later years of GSP’s career, it didn’t always seem like the Canadian star and White were on the best of terms.

Fast forward to today, and GSP will turn 39 in May. So, when you consider when Khabib could theoretically be ready to fight St-Pierre, it’s hard to imagine this happening. 

Nurmagomedov is expected to defend the lightweight title in late summer, early fall. Right now, it looks like he’ll be facing Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje.

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