VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Donald Cerrone would welcome a grappling fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov should he ever share the octagon with the UFC lightweight champ.
Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC), who defended his title for the second time with a submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 this past weekend, has proven to be nothing short of a force when his fights hit the canvas. The champion has an ability to control opponents on the mat that no one has been able to stop, but Cerrone (36-12 MMA, 23-9 UFC) thinks he has the answer.
With 17 submission wins to his credit, “Cowboy” said he would look to fight Nurmagomedov in the positions where others have been resistant.
“I think people need to welcome Khabib to the ground,” Cerrone told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ESPN+ 16 open workouts. “Come on in. Let’s go.”
Although ground exchanges are where Nurmagomedov appears to be most comfortable, Cerrone said there are still unanswered questions about the completeness of the champion’s game.
“How does Khabib do on his back?” Cerrone said. “What if I take Khabib down? Who knows? (Expletive).”
Before Cerrone can seriously consider a matchup with Nurmagomedov – who has been scheduled to fight three times to no avail – he must first get past Justin Gaethje in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 16 headliner. It’s not an easy matchup for either man, but it’s crucial to the future pecking order for the 155-pound belt.
Cerrone absolutely expects to win, and after that he wants the winner of the planned next title fight between Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson so he can back up his talk.
“After I beat Gaethje, there’s nobody else,” Cerrone said. “That’s it, there is no one in front of me.”
