Khabib Nurmagomedov is on the list of Max Holloway
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has not had a moment’s rest since he retired at UFC 254 after beating Justin Gaethje and going 29-0-0 in his MMA career.
And now, Max Holloway is the latest to convey his desire to face the great Russian. ‘Blessed’ was on ESPN MMA this week and spoke about Khabib’s retirement.
Holloway was clear that he wanted fights that would cement his legacy, and who better to fight for that than Khabib Nurmagomedov?
“Khabib is one of them for sure [guys he wants to fight before retiring]. I keep telling you, I want legacy fights. I want fights that cement my name forever in this sport even when I’m long gone.
“He’s still #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he’s retired so that says a lot about the man. So I would love to share the octagon.”
The two fighters were actually primed to go against each other in the past. This was during the build-up to UFC 223.
Tony Ferguson was pulled from the lightweight title fight against Khabib at UFC 223. His replacement was Holloway, who accepted the fight with just 6 days to prepare.
The fight, scheduled to take place on 7th April 2018, never went ahead because Holloway was pulled from the card due to his weight-cut at such short notice.
Al Iaquinta was then brought in, and he went on to lose the title fight to the Russian. That was really a shame.
Holloway was the featherweight champion then and could have become just the 2nd man to hold two UFC titles at once. That is, of course, if he could beat the beast that is The Eagle.
Nevertheless, we now that if… if…. Khabib was to come back, then he has a challenger in Holloway waiting. Holloway was excellent in his last fight and is to challenge for the Featherweight title next.
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