feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

The UFC sent its fans into a frenzy after announcing the return of Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre. He will compete in a grappling match at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 in December. Fans wanted to see ‘Rush’ take on Khabib Nurmagomedov, but his coach Javier Mendez doesn’t think ‘The Eagle’ would come back to fight once again.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

Javier Mendez appeared in an interview recently and shed light on the possibility of Khabib Nurmagomedov returning to fight ‘GSP’ at FPI 6. Let us take a look at what he had to say about the rumored fight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Javier Mendez doesn’t think Khabib Nurmagomedov will return to fight

The AKA coach mentioned that Nurmagomedov’s first priority is his family. ‘The Eagle’ even mentioned this when he left MMA altogether earlier this year. Mendez said, “I don’t know if Khabib would do the competition because he stated that his family is what it’s all about, more devoting time for the family.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Furthermore, if the 29-0 Hall of Famer had to return for a fight, he’d need the time to train for Georges St-Pierre. Nurmagomedov doesn’t take any fight lightly. “Knowing him, any challenge is work, right? So he’s gonna have to stay focused on one particular thing,” said Javier Mendez.

He doesn’t believe that the fight is going to take place. However, he could be wrong. The AKA coach added, “He’s not going to take it lightly if he does [fight GSP]. So I don’t see that happening, but I could be wrong.” Moreover, ‘The Eagle’ has not stopped training.

ADVERTISEMENT

‘The Eagle’ continues to train after retirement

Javier Mendez believes Khabib Nurmagomedov may have an interest in fighting ‘GSP’. Despite the uncertainty, he continues to train every day, even after retirement. Mendez said, “It [match against GSP] might be of interest to him because Khabib’s always training.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The AKA coach added, “It’s not like he doesn’t grapple. He grapples all the time. So he hasn’t stopped training.”

ADVERTISEMENT

However, he is not training to come back for active competition inside the Octagon. Rather, he focuses on getting the young Dagestani up-and-comers ready for the big stage. “He doesn’t train to fight, but he still does his cardio. He still grapples with the guys,” said Mendez.

READ MORE: After Speculations of His UFC Return Against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges St-Pierre Drops Truth Bomb on the Potential ‘Super Fight’

It is clear that Khabib Nurmagomedov is more than capable of coming back for another fight. However, his priorities lie elsewhere and is focused more on being there for his family and the young fighters back home in Dagestan. It is a piece of sad news for the fans to know that the chances of him fighting Georges St-Pierre are very slim.

ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH THIS STORY: Take a look at$40 million worth Khabib Nurmagomedov’s home in Dagestan

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Himanga Mahanta

4,196 Articles

Himanga Mahanta is a Senior UFC Writer at EssentiallySports and a key pillar of the combat sports team. With over three years in sports journalism, he leads the site’s MMA PPV Live Coverage Desk, closely working with real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and trend-driven insights that keep fans ahead of the curve. From breaking news and beat reports to exclusive stories and sharp opinion pieces, Himanga’s coverage spans the full spectrum of the MMA world. His insightful reporting has earned recognition within the combat sports community, including mentions from notable figures such as Chael Sonnen. A keen observer of fight dynamics and a devoted Conor McGregor fan, Himanga blends passion with journalistic precision, making his work a reliable go-to for UFC followers worldwide.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Yeswanth Praveen

ADVERTISEMENT