LAS VEGAS – Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks a potential Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje matchup fight will be super competitive.
Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC), the reigning UFC lightweight champion who is set to defend against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18, currently has a firm grip over arguably the sport’s deepest weight class.
He always needs a next contender, though, and if rumors of a potential McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) vs. Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) fight this summer come to fruition, that would almost certainly produce his next foe. Who wins, though? Nurmagomedov is torn.
“Justin Gaethje and Conor, it’s a hard question,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie at a recent Dominance MMA media day event. “My opinion, I want Justin Gaethje, but I think (it’s) 50/50. I think you guys think (it’s) 50/50, too. Because it’s going to be stand-up fight, Justin is good, Conor is good on the standup, and I think it’s going to be 50/50.”
Nurmagomedov’s reason for wanting Gaethje to beat McGregor is likely threefold. The pair share the same management team, Nurmagomedov has already beaten McGregor, and he doesn’t like “The Notorious.”
If Gaethje was to win, he would also produce a fresh challenge for Nurmagomedov’s belt, assuming he’s still the champion. Gaethje has said many times he thinks he’s a horrible style matchup for “The Eagle,” and while Nurmagomedov is confident against anyone, he sees it as a tough fight, too.
“Justin Gaethje is one of the best lightweights in the world, of course,” Nurmagomedov said. “Anyone in the top of the lightweight division is going to be hard. You have to believe this. You have to believe you can become champion one day. If not, why do you train? I respect his mind, I respect how he thinks, and I respect he want to show his skill, and he want to challenge himself. You have to.”
