Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov is the biggest fight in the UFC, coach says
A MEGA-FIGHT between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly close to coming to fruition.
Conor McGregor (L) and Khabib Nurmagomedob (R)
For the last two years, many mixed martial arts fans have been dying to see the pair face one another.
The eagerness to see the two biggest names in the lightweight division lock horns with one another stems from Nurmagomedov's wrestling-heavy fighting style, which many believe is McGregor's kryptonite.
McGregor well and truly stoked the fire for a fight with the Dagestan native earlier this month at the UFC 223 media day, where he threw a Dolley through the window of a bus carrying the new lightweight champion and a number of his fellow fighters.
Putting McGregor's antics to one side, a fight between him and Nurmagomedov still has the potential to be the biggest in UFC history due to the size of their respective fan bases.
One man who agrees with that notion is Nurmagomedov's coach Javier Mendez, who reckons McGregor will be inclined to fight ‘The Eagle’ due to the huge payday that will come with taking the bout.
“It’s just a matter of whether Conor wants to come to the table or not,” Mendez told Express Sport when discussing a potential fight between Nurmagomedov and McGregor.
“And knowing Conor, he’s a great businessman, Conor is going to want the biggest payday for his efforts.
Conor McGregor goes on wild rampage during UFC media day
There isn’t going to be a bigger MMA fight than Khabib and Conor
“And there isn’t going to be a bigger MMA fight than Khabib and Conor.”
Outside of a fight with Nurmagomedov, Mendez believes the only other big contest available to McGregor at this moment in time is a rubber match with Nate Diaz.
“The next big one that’s going to happen before that, in my opinion, I believe the logical step for Conor would be to fight Nate Diaz. Now or later,” he added.
Javier Mendez believes Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov is the biggest fight in the UFC
“But that fight needs to also happen too. Because that’s also a big fight for Conor.
“The two big fights for Conor, in my opinion, are Khabib and Nate Diaz.”
Nurmagomedov, 29, is eager to face McGregor next and recently revealed talks over a multi-million-pound bout with ‘The Notorious’ are underway.
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates becoming the new UFC lightweight champion
“We’re talking, but if it takes too long, I don’t want to do that,” Nurmagomedov said during a Q&A in Russia when asked about a fight with McGregor.
“If he wants to fight this year, then we can fight. Otherwise, I don’t know.
“We won’t wait long. I want to fight Conor and if he can fight, I will fight him.”