Dana White Claims Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. GSP Talk is “Over”

For months, there’s been speculation about whether Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov will end up fighting, even after the latter announced he was retiring in October. But, following his meeting with Khabib on Friday, Dana White’s claiming the fighters are no longer interested in the super fight.

White claims Khabib versus GSP speculation is “over”

For a couple of years now, there has been extensive discussion and debate about whether Khabib and St-Pierre could end up fighting. Both men have called for the fight in the past, and it wasn’t until White shot down the bout, several times, GSP announced he was retiring.

But, in more recent months, White changed his tune and said he was open to making the fight. So, many believed that a bout with St-Pierre could be the match-up that would bring Khabib out of retirement.

The argument being that a win over the legend, for Khabib’s 30th win, would be a great way to end his career for good.

Well, White met with Khabib on Friday in an effort to convince him to fight again. After the meeting, the UFC President reported that Nurmagomedov could be be interested in competing again, if one of the top lightweight contenders does something impressive in the coming weeks.

White didn’t mention St-Pierre, so at the post-fight presser, he was asked about whether GSP came up in the meeting. White said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Nope,” White said. “GSP never came up.

(Nurmagomedov) isn’t interested in that fight. From what I hear today, after that, neither is GSP. So, that’s over.”

Thoughts?

White’s claims likely caught a few people off guard. After all, people who are close to Khabib, like Daniel Cormier and his manager Ali Abdelaziz have both opined that a GSP fight might get the star back in the Octagon.

Further, White has never seemed too keen on that fight, and has continually pushed Khabib – Conor McGregor 2, even though the champ has repeatedly said he has no interest in that bout.

That said, it is possible that given GSP will turn 40 this coming May, and because he hasn’t fought since 2017, Khabib doesn’t view the fight in the same way as he once did.

In addition, St-Pierre has talked about the need for the bout to be at a catch-weight. So, that could be another reason Nurmagomedov doesn’t see the fight in the same light.