Dana White: Conor McGregor Still Pushing for Khabib Nurmagomedov Rematch
Conor McGregor may have lost the battle at UFC 229 but he’s not giving up on the war.
Several weeks have now passed since McGregor suffered a fourth round submission defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in what will likely become the biggest UFC fight in the history of the sport.
It’s only the second time McGregor has lost inside the Octagon and much like his first defeat to Nate Diaz in 2016, he’s hoping for the chance to avenge that loss in the near future.
According to UFC president Dana White, McGregor is adamant about getting a second shot at Nurmagomedov for his next fight but he’s also ready to take on whatever challenge the UFC throws at him so long as it gets him closer to a rematch against the undefeated Russian champion.
“Conor and I talked for an hour last week,” White revealed at the UFC 230 post fight press conference. “Typical Conor — ‘I would love an immediate rematch, I want to fight him again but I’ll whoever I’ve got to fight to get back to him if that’s not the case’.”
Obviously no decision has been made regarding the next fight for McGregor or Nurmagomedov and it’s not likely anything will be determined until after December.
That’s when the fighters are expected to appear at a hearing for the Nevada State Athletic Commission to answer for their actions in a post fight brawl that broke out following UFC 229 in October.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor could be on the line for hefty fines as well as potential suspensions for their roles in the melee inside the T-Mobile Arena.
White did scoff at the idea that Nurmagomedov would need to make at least $50 million for his next fight following an interview from his manager Ali Abdelaziz where he stated the hefty sum of money required to get back into the Octagon with McGregor.
“Come on,” White said while rolling his eyes at the number suggested. “They know what’s realistic for them. They know the answer to that question.”
As of now, Nurmagomedov and McGregor will focus on their upcoming hearing with the Nevada commission before the UFC will start booking fights for them in 2019.
