
Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 06: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia looks across the Octagon at his opponent Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 06: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia looks across the Octagon at his opponent Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has no plans of fighting in any other weight class, even if it brings the opportunity to fight Georges St-Pierre. Following his retirement, the question of a fight between GSP and the Russian has been as hot as ever. However, Nurmagomedov has stamped his condition on the potential fight – it would not be at 170-pounds.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Talking to the media during the Eagle FC 33 media scrum in Moscow, ‘The Eagle’ detailed his reason for refusing to move up a weight class. He reasoned that his body weight is as such that it fits correctly in the lightweight frame. Therefore, fighting the greatest welterweight of all time in GSP when Khabib has been a lightweight in his career doesn’t make the most sense.

Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: (R-L) Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia takes down Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I won’t fight at 170. That’s for sure. It’s not my natural weight. When I’m in shape, my weight is around 180. To cut down to 170 and then weigh in around 176 on fight night against the best fighter of the weight class in the history of the sport?” Khabib said (via RT Sport MMA).
ADVERTISEMENT
Khabib Nurmagomedov and his Karate analogy
Nurmagomedov then compared his situation to a fight with a stand-up fighter by saying, “You know it reminds me of my childhood when you’re fighting a Karate guy, taking him down and he’s like: ‘Hey, let’s stand up and fight like men!‘. ‘But we started the fight on the feet!’ – you know what I’m talking about?”
ADVERTISEMENT
He ended the conversation by adding, “I am a lightweight champion, and if there is an interesting option for me, I’d like it to materialize at lightweight. So, I’m not fighting St. Pierre at 170. No.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Khabib fought interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in his last fight. He submitted Gaethje in the second round, and ever since then, rumors of a fight against Georges St. Pierre or Conor McGregor are doing the rounds. Khabib, however, announced his retirement after the fight, and while it didn’t stop the rumors, there were serious questions about him coming back.
ADVERTISEMENT
While UFC supremo Dana White seems adamant about bringing Nurmagomedov back, the undefeated fighter seems to be slowly drifting away from his life as a fighter.
Top Stories
Tragedy Strikes as 45-Year-Old MMA Veteran Drowns in Amazon River

Ilia Topuria’s UFC Title at Risk After Personal Break Turns Worse With “Extortion” Claim

How Much Did Conor McGregor Spend on Secret Vatican Wedding With Dee Devlin? Lavish Details Emerge

Alex Pereira’s White House Announcement Has Fans Turning On Dana White as Donald Trump’s UFC Plans Hit a Snag

UFC Rankings: Final 2025 Update Brings Major Shake-Ups as New Title Challenger Emerges

Do you think that Khabib and GSP should fight at a catchweight?
Read More: “Just Come to Wish You the Best of Luck”- When Georges St-Pierre Met Khabib Nurmagomedov
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

