Conor McGregor lifts lid on Khabib fight progress before dishing out shock praise
CONOR MCGREGOR - Express Sport brings you the latest headlines on the former UFC lightweight champion.
Conor McGregor provides positive update on Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Conor McGregor has claimed his eagerly-anticipated grudge match with Khabib Nurmagomedov is close to being announced.
“It’s not official, but we’re close,” the former UFC lightweight champion told TMZ.
‘The Notorious’ is hoping his bout with Nurmagomedov will take place before the end of the year, adding: “I believe so – I hope so, (that it will be in 2018). I’m pushing for it.
“You know, I f*****g love New York City. To be able to be here free, a free man walking around this place – what a city.
“What a f*****g city. I’d love to fight in the Garden, again, but I believe this one is for Las Vegas.”
Update: McGregor's eagerly-anticipated comeback bout against Nurmagomedov was confirmed late last night at the UFC's latest quarterly press conference of the year.
Video of the announcement can be found here.
It’s not official, but we’re close
Conor McGregor hails Jose Aldo
McGregor has hailed his former opponent Jose Aldo for his emphatic UFC on Fox 30 victory over Jeremy Stephens, a triumph which saw him snap a two-fight losing streak.
“I’m so happy for him,” McGregor told TMZ. “To see the joy he had after [the win].
“It’s a crazy business and I know he’s gone through a lot of stuff, so to see him come back with that great finish, I was very happy for him and his coach Andre Pederneiras.
“The whole of Ireland was happy for Jose Aldo that night.”
Conor McGregor - Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager makes payment demand
Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has claimed the UFC brass will have to stump up a huge amount of cash if they want his client to fight McGregor.
“We will get a deal done,” Abdelaziz said at a UFC 227 media lunch. “Trust me.
“My relationship with Dana, Hunter, Sean, Mick. I have a different relationship. I’m not gonna overplay my hand and they need to be fair.
“There’s no way in hell Nate Diaz can make more money than Khabib.
“There’s no way in hell. [Nurmagomedov is the] undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion of he world. That’s it.”