UFC News: Firas Zahabi predicts Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Georges St-Pierre at 165 pounds
What's the story?
Tristar Gym head coach and mixed martial arts expert, Firas Zahabi, has recently expressed interest in witnessing a dream 165-pound match-up between Georges St-Pierre, and current UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The pair are currently on a hiatus from the sport for varied individual reasons, leaving the playground wide open for possible matchmaking speculation.
In case you didn't know...
Leading up to the promotional activities for UFC 230 that took place on November 3, 2018, an inaugural 165-pound weight class fight hit the rumor charts.
After the flyweight division weight class was suspected by many to dissolve, speculation of a newly formed weight class seemed like a formidable solution to keep the boat afloat. However, this idea was turned down by the president of the UFC, Dana White, after a supposed 165-pound bout between Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier was canceled.
Firas Zahabi, an ardent martial artist, believes that a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre, at the 165-pound mark, would do wonders for the promotion.
Georges St-Pierre is currently on a layoff from the fight game due to an acute case of ulcerative colitis, while Khabib Nurmagomedov is presently waiting to hear the full extent of his punishment in regards to the infamous UFC 229 post-fight melee.
The heart of the matter
In a recent report via BJPenn.com, MMA trainer Firas Zahabi was explicit about his willingness to see Georges St-Pierre step into the Octagon with Khabib Nurmagomedov, interestingly for an initiatory 165-pound division fight. He said,
“As of what I understand right now, there is no 165-pound division. It’s a ‘maybe’ from what I understand. It’s a rumor I should say, and if that happens I think it could be very interesting for Georges. I’m hoping that rumor is true.”
“I think the best match-up would be, for sure, Khabib Nurmagomedov. If they were to create a 165-pound division, I think it would make a lot of sense to have Georges St-Pierre and Khabib be the first ones to fight for that title.”
What's next?
Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently expecting a hearing from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his role in the UFC 229 incident. Georges St-Pierre has reportedly started training again, and is expected to make a comeback within the year.
Are you in favor of a 165-pound division fight between two of the greatest UFC martial artists of all time? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!