Khabib confirms he turned down GSP fight offer: ‘Let this guy be a legend’
“Let this guy be a legend. He’s 40 years old and I don’t understand why he has to fight”.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dream fight was always Georges St-Pierre and, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, ‘The Eagle’ revealed that UFC president Dana White tried to lure him back into the octagon with an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Except he did.
Nurmagomedov turned down a fight against his idol St-Pierre because, in his own words, the Dagestani is finished with the sport and has no intention of returning to the UFC no matter what offer they put on the table.
“He sent me a message and said, ‘Hey, Georges St-Pierre wants to fight with you,’” Nurmagomedov said. “I said, ‘What can I do?’ I don’t know. I’m finished, you know? I think Georges is finished, too, you know. Let this guy be a legend. He’s 40 years old and I don’t understand why he has to fight. I think he has money, too. I’m finished. I’m really finished.”
Khabib retired in his athletic prime with an undefeated 29-0 record, which is why White is having such a hard time accepting the former lightweight champion’s decision.
“I’m only 32 years old,” Nurmagomedov said. “People are going to talk about this (for) maybe the next seven (or) eight years. Because for MMA, a lot of guys on the top are 37, 38, 39. They’re still on the top. People are going to talk about this until that day comes I think.”
St-Pierre retired in the months following his historic title win over Michael Bisping at UFC 217, which saw ‘Rush’ submit ‘The Count’ in the third round to become a two-weight world champion. GSP, like Khabib, is widely considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.