Khabib Nurmagomedov picks three matchups he wished he could have had during his time as a professional fighter
Former UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov recently appeared in an interview for Class A Events at Meridian Hall in Toronto on November 20th.
"The Eagle" discussed various topics ranging from his UFC career and coaching, to Islam Makhachev's upcoming fight, and a lot more. At one point during the interview, the UFC Hall of Famer was asked to name three fighters he has always wanted to fight during his reign in combat sports as a fighter.
In response, "The Eagle" revealed that he wanted to make the Tony Ferguson fight, which got canceled numerous times due to unavoidable circumstances:
"Of course it was Tony Ferguson for sure. But this has never happened..."
Apart from "El Cucy," the former UFC champ also expressed his interest in fighting against UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. Speaking of GSP, Nurmagomedov acknowledged the Canadian superstar being his role model in MMA. He also revealed watching the former UFC welterweight champ's fights along with his late father, during his amateur days:
"In my mind? yes it was couple fighters, it was couple fighters for sure...Okay GSP, if you guys want but I respect this guy a lot you know. It's like I grew up with his fights, you know? when he was... when he became UFC Champion 2007 and I was like... I was don't [not] beginning my professional career. I was amateur fighter and I watched a lot his fights with my father. And you know, it's like... GSP was like role model in MMA for me..."
Khabib Nurmagomedov also named Anthony Pettis as another fight he wished he could have had during his career inside the octagon:
"And I think it was 2014-15 when Anthony Pettis was UFC Champion... like that time I really really want to fight this guy."
Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov naming his three fights that never happened beginning at the 27:52 mark:
Khabib Nurmagomedov confident Islam Makachev will successfully defend LW title despite Volkanovski being more experienced
In the same interview with MMA Junkie, "The Eagle" also gave his prediction for Islam Makhachev's first lightweight title defense against Alexander Volkanovski.
On the outcome of the match, Khabib Nurmagomedov confidently claimed that his Dagestani partner will successfully defeat "The Great" Alexander Volkanovski. He was confident in his opinion despite the Australian being a tougher opponent than Oliveira:
"I think Volkanovski going to be tougher opponent for Islam than Charles Oliveira. But anyways, who cares? we gonna finish this guy[Volkanovski]."
Volkanovski is the current UFC Featherweight champion and pound-for-pound king. He was vying for the lightweight title as the backup fighter for Oliveira vs. Makachev at UFC 280. Makachev vs. Volkanovski is now scheduled to be the main event fight for UFC 284 and will take place on February 11, 2023, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
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