Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. GSP in April? Dana White’s on Board

Just when it seemed like the door had been closed on Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre ever fighting, the lightweight champ and Dana White have kicked it back open.

White says he’s on board with Khabib vs. GSP

For some time, St-Pierre let it be known that he’d return to the Octagon for a bout with Nurmagomedov. After GSP vacated the middleweight title in 2017, he repeatedly said only a fight that enhanced his legacy would get him back in the cage.

A fight with Khabib, who has never lost and is the lightweight king, would do that. Nurmagomedov also repeatedly said he wants to fight the former welterweight and middleweight champ.

But, the fight never materialized and GSP eventually retired.

Well, more recently, Nurmagomedov responded to Joe Rogan commenting about the champ’s October 24th bout with Justin Gaethje, by saying “October – Justin, April – GSP” (image via MMA Mania).

Now, if you’ve followed all the talk about this fight over the years, you know that White repeatedly said it wouldn’t happen. The reason being that St-Pierre never defended the middleweight title (the Canadian vacated the belt after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis), and the UFC didn’t want another situation, where a title could just be won and immediately vacated.

Well, more recently, Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz reportedly told UFC Arabia that Nurmagomedov wants to move to 30-0, if he beats Gaethje, and then retire. Khabib’s late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, also apparently mentioned this as the champ’s goal last year.

So, when White was asked to comment on all this, while talking to ESPN, the UFC President said he’s on board.

“At the end of the day, the Conor McGregor [rematch], I know Conor has wanted that fight since the last one [in October 2018],” White said.

“That’s a fight to make, but I don’t know. We’ll see how this plays out. Sure, [I would be open to St-Pierre] if it’s his last fight.

This guy’s been great to the company, great to the sport. I like Khabib a lot. I would do anything Khabib wanted to do.”

Could Khabib vs. GSP happen in 20201?

So, first things first, and Khabib needs to get by the ridiculously dangerous Justin Gaethje. But, if that happens, could we see Nurmagomedov and St-Pierre finally fight?

In more recent times, St-Pierre has said he’s happy with being retired. But, when he was asked to respond to White’s comments by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, he apparently said: