Conor McGregor vs Khabib: Potential fight dates revealed by manager in huge statement
CONOR MCGREGOR’s proposed fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov will take place on one of three dates, according to the UFC lightweight champion’s manager Ali Abdelaziz.
Late last week, Nurmagomedov revealed that his eagerly-anticipated fight with his predecessor at the summit of the lightweight division is in the works.
News of the ongoing negotiations prompted many to wonder when Nurmagomedov vs McGregor - which has the potential to be the biggest fight in UFC history - will take place.
Abdelaziz shed some light on the matter during an interview with TMZ, in which he revealed the bout will headline UFC 229, UFC 230, or UFC 232, which take place on October 6, November 3 and December 29 respectively.
“Listen, its three dates,” Abdelaziz told TMZ. "It has to be October, the beginning of October.
"Madison Square Garden (in November). I don’t think he can be licensed by New York.
“Or December 30 in Vegas. Or December 31, whatever the date is.”
Although negotiations for Nurmagomedov vs McGregor are seemingly in their infancy, the latter’s head coach can foresee the bout coming to fruition before year’s end.
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Listen, its three dates
"It’s the obvious fight," John Kavanagh said during a Q&A with Robin Black. "As his coach and as a fan of MMA, it’s the fight I want to see as well.
"I would almost bet anything that fight happens before the end of the year.
"I can’t imagine it not happening."
Nurmagomedov is keen to make the maiden defence of his lightweight title in October and urged McGregor to agree to fight him earlier this week.
"I do not need to negotiate with you, do not need to call and ask me,” ‘The Eagle’ said. "Just send me the contract.
"Yes, negotiations are underway. But you need to persuade him and not me.
"You need to explain to him, 'He will not beat you hard.' Agree to fight."
McGregor, 29, hasn’t set foot inside the Octagon since his historic UFC 205 victory over Eddie Alvarez, a triumph which saw him become the promotion’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion.
Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since succeeding McGregor atop of the lightweight division at UFC 223.