UFC made huge "mistake" with Khabib Nurmagomedov that may have cost them Conor McGregor rematch, says veteran
UFC icon Chael Sonnen recently shared an intriguing theory about an error on the promotion's part that may have potentially prevented Khabib Nurmagomedov from returning to action. Sonnen pointed out that the UFC was bringing the former UFC lightweight champion the "wrong numbers" at their meetings.
Nurmagomedov is widely considered among the greatest champions in UFC history and the best lightweight ever to reign over the division. 'The Eagle' has a perfect 29-0 record and has defeated high-profile MMA stars like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Rafael dos Anjos.
The Dagestani grappling savant faced Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020 in the last fight of his career. Nurmagomedov beat Gaethje via second-round submission and announced his retirement from the sport. He clarified that his father's passing made it difficult for him to continue competing and that he had vowed to his mother that he would call it a career.
Since then, Nurmagomedov hasn't stepped foot in the cage. However, fans are ever hopeful of his return and many long to see him run it back against McGregor. In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen theorized where the UFC went wrong in their efforts to bring Nurmagomedov back. He said:
"The UFC would've got him. They would have been able to talk him into that one more. They looked at the wrong numbers. Every time they had a meeting, they brought him more commas and zeros, the wrong number. The number they needed to adjust was the weight class."
Sonnen continued:
"They could have made it 165 [pounds] and done whatever they do there. They could have gone 170 [pounds]. They could have gone super fight. They could have done both. They could've taken and accepted his belt back and moved him against Conor [McGregor] for 170 [pounds]... That was the mistake that they made."
Catch Chael Sonnen's comments below (4:57):
Belal Muhammad likens "GOAT of MMA" Khabib Nurmagomedov to Michael Jordan
Belal Muhammad recently lauded Khabib Nurmagomedov as the MMA "GOAT." He likened the former UFC lightweight champion to Michael Jordan. Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
Ahead of his welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards at UFC 304 this weekend, Muhammad spoke to TNT Sports and praised Nurmagoemdov while counting his lucky stars to be able to contact him anytime. He said:
"I was always a fan of his and I consider him the GOAT of MMA, so to be able to talk to the Michael Jordan of your sport anytime, 'Hey bro, what do you think of, how you doing?' You're like, 'Bro, what do you mean how am I doing? How're you doing? It's fight week!' So, it's always cool anytime I get messages from him."
Catch Belal Muhammad's comments below (4:14):