UFC president Dana White reportedly rejected former two divisions champion Georges St-Pierre to face lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the near future.
Just days after St-Pierre (26-2) said he ‘would be interested’ in a showdown against the winner of the UFC 229 main event, White quickly show down that possibility when speaking after the season finale of the Tuesday Night Contender Series.
“How does Georges St-Pierre jump over all the guys fighting in that division to face Khabib? Just because all of a sudden he wants to come out and fight this guy, he doesn’t get to do that.” White said.
“If Georges St-Pierre is serious, listen, I’ll give you a fight with one of these guys in the top five. If you win, you’ll be in position for a title shot. We don’t even know if Georges St-Pierre can make 155 pounds. You know what I mean?” Whites continued.
St-Pierre became middleweight champion and while he had plans to stay at 185 pounds to defend the belt, he ultimately removed the title due to health issues. That came after the Quebecer left the UFC back in 2013 while also surrendering welterweight title at the time.
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre. (Source:www.bjpenn.com)
Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, has already expressed a desire to measure up against GSP in the past. His agent Ali Abdelaziz, however, he did not believe that the UFC would accept a championship fight, but that a fight at an intermediate weight might be possible.
“That’s probably not going to happen. He gave up the 170-pound belt. He gave up 185-pound belt, you know what I mean? It’s like no, pick a division.” White said.
St-Pierre, meanwhile, he feared that would be White’s response when he first expressed interest in fighting Nurmagomedov or McGregor after what unfolded following his win over Michael Bisping last year.
“I fought at 170 pounds and I remooved the title, I fought at 185 and I remove the tile, I don’t think the UFC will let me fight for the title at 155. They will be afraid I will remove and I left the division in ruins.” St-Pierre said.
“Khabib did a great job. It gave the impression that it was almost easy. He neutralized McGregor’s play. It was an incredible performance. When giving my prediction of the fight, I chose Khabib as the winner. It went pretty well as I anticipated.” the 37-year-old fighter added.
