UFC Lightweight Conor McGregor stated after winning the lightweight title at UFC 205 that he would be out of action until at least May 2017 due to the impending birth of his first child. Since stepping off of the gas pedal a little bit, things may have changed.
When the champion returns to the octagon in 2017, he may have his first challenger lined up, if UFC President Dana White is to be believed.
“We’re focused very heavily on Russia right now,” White said to Fox 5. “First of all, there’s tons of talent coming out of Russia, and a lot of fans. There’s a fighter named Khabib who’s from Russia, and he’s insanely popular. The next fight could be Conor vs. Khabib.”
Nurmagomedov is currently the #1 ranked lightweight in the UFC, but he has been pleading with the UFC to fight the #2 ranked Tony Ferguson, the two have been trading barbs on social medial for quite some time now. Nurmagomedov even admitted to turning down a fight with Jose Aldo in order to fight Ferguson.
If McGregor does defend the gold against Nurmagomedov, it would be the first defense of his lightweight title, which he won by second round knockout over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, it was the promotions first event to be held in the historic Madison Square Garden venue.
