UFC President Dana White has revealed who he would like to see star lightweights Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor fight next (and no, it’s not each other).
Fans of the UFC’s stacked lightweight division could have a couple of key match-ups to look forward to. Appearing on EPSN’s Now or Never, White broke down who he would like to see stars Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor fight next. And while the names aren’t exactly a surprise, the fights give fans something to look forward to.
Assuming nothing falls through of course.
Conor and Khabib, of course, learned their fate earlier this week after the NSAC handed out suspensions for the infamous UFC 229 brawl. Nurmagomedov received a nine month suspension on top of a $500,000 fine. The suspension, however, can be reduced to six months should the champion participate in an anti-bullying PSA. McGregor, meanwhile, received a six month suspension plus a $50,000 fine. He can get back in the cage on April 6.
Regardless of time frame, White made clear on the popular ESPN show who he wants to see both men face next. “Yeah, I like that fight too,” exclaimed the UFC President when asked about Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone vs. McGregor. “They both have called each other out. First of all, Cowboy— tell me that last boring fight that guy was in. The answer is never. He just bust into the top ten. Warrior. Unbelievable fight he just had. And Conor McGregor’s fought anybody we’ve ever asked him to. If these two want to fight I’m in.”
McGregor, of course, accepted a fight with Cowboy via social media following Cerrone’s win at UFC Brooklyn. As for a fight with Nate Diaz, White continues to insist that the Diaz brothers don’t want to fight.
When it comes to Khabib, meanwhile, it’s a song we’ve heard before. The name in play is Tony Ferguson. Asked about Khabib vs. Conor 2, White said that “what I’d like to do — he’s [Nurmagomedov] going to have his suspension. I think what needs to happen is Khabib vs. Tony Ferguson, do Conor vs. Cowboy, and if they both come out of that, we do the rematch.”
So there you have it. While the best laid plans can change, for the time being, it seems McGregor vs. Cerrone, and Khabib vs. Tony (for about the 75th time) are being targeted.
