Has UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov suddenly become the ‘big’ or the ‘money’ fight? Because he’s getting called out more now than ever.
Although not quite a ‘call out’ exactly, former two-division champion at middleweight and welterweight, Georges St-Pierre has expressed interest in a potential ‘legacy bout’ with the undefeated current 155-pound king.
Still trying to comfortably recover from his ulcerative colitis, the Canadian icon has made it clear as to what kind of fights he’s interested in at this point in his career as he reiterated on the Ariel Helwani MMA Show.
“The motivation is not the same that it used to be. I don’t have the same motivation to go [through] the lineup again and to fight my way up to another title. I’m done with this. I’ve done it for so many years.
advertisement – continue reading belowYou reach a point in your career where you want to do things different. That’s why this [last] fight with [Michael] Bisping was different because it was a super fight. For me, that’s what I look for.
The big issue for fighting for me is the symptoms of colitis. I have to get rid of my medication. Once I get the dose down to where I want it to be I’ll make the decision. Right now I’m not ready to sign a fight deal as we speak. Mentally, I don’t want to fight right now.”
As for why St-Pierre has interest in facing a champion of Nurmagomedov’s status? Well, it’s quite simple. A win would make him the first person to ever beat the first Russian UFC champ.
“The thing that excites me the most is when I could be the first to do something. When something cannot be done and people doubt me. He’s a great champion, and in terms of legacy, I can’t think of a better fighter right now who has a better legacy than Khabib.
advertisement – continue reading belowTyron Woodley, his last performance was amazing. He’s doing very well. He’s making a big name for himself. To get a legacy in the sport, it doesn’t come in one day. It took me nine title defenses to get the name that I have.
The competitor inside of me wants me to return sometime. I want to return as a competitor but I need to listen to the logic as well. It needs to be worth it.”
St-Pierre last fought in November 2017 when he captured the middleweight title by defeating Michael Bisping via third-round submission (rear naked choke).
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 10/15/2018