Reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov knows that at some point, he will have to step aside. “The Eagle” remains officially retired and though there are discussions of a possible cage return, it is not expected to happen soon.
With that said, the UFC is unlikely to wait until the Russian is ready to fight again. The 32-year-old fighter is resigned to the idea and believed that whoever wins between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Jan. 23 will most likely have the inside track to become the new UFC lightweight champion.
Nurmagomedov shared his thoughts on Match TV. He named the three top fighters in the lightweight division now and both McGregor and Poirer were part of that list. The other was Islam Makhachev.
“Top three [lightweight] fighters right now?” Nurmagomedov said. “Poirier, McGregor and [Islam] Makhachev. He is not in the top five yet, but those are the best fighters.”
As of this writing, there is no official word on whether a title will be on the line in the McGregor-Poirier affair. A possible reason behind that is that the UFC is hoping that Nurmagomedov will continue to fight and face the winner.
But from the way things are looking right now, that could take some time. Nurmagomedov did say that he has been in touch with UFC president Dana White and a return to the cage has been discussed.
Khabib Nurmagomedov expects UFC 257 headliner to crown new lightweight champ
Full story: https://t.co/uHJsYgy50F pic.twitter.com/F3is7vTsZN — MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 29, 2020
“Apparently they want me to come back. I have been in the league for nine years, there is already a history, a fan base, their desires are clear,” Nurmagomedov said. “I will not hide the fact that they offer to return, offer conditions, [and] fighters. We will meet with Dana soon, we will discuss. I would not like there to be a possibility that I will return.”
For now, the only thing certain is that “The Eagle” will be in attendance at UFC 257 as a spectator. Hence, there is a chance that he and McGregor may cross paths. Both fighters have a history so a potential skirmish or verbal tussle cannot be counted out.
But as far as Nurmagomedov is concerned, he would rather respond appropriately. Hence, it all depends on McGregor, known to hurl proverbial jabs at select personalities. Nurmagomedov is no exception.
"I'll act based on the situation. If you don't like someone or they don't like you, it's OK. If I meet someone I don't like, I'll act based on the situation," Nurmadomedov said.
