Ali Abdelaziz is the manager of UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who won the gold by defeating Al Iaquinta at UFC 223.
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor is a potential future challenger for the gold, but Abdelaziz doesn’t think the Irishman deserves such an opportunity.
“We believe the fight to make is the Georges St-Pierre fight at 155 pounds,” Abdelaziz said to MMA Fighting. “Khabib wants to fight for legacy and not for a soap opera drama show, and we think Conor doesn’t deserve this opportunity. The guy hasn’t fought in almost two years. Why does he deserve to fight for the title? He should get his ass back in the line and work his way up.”
It has been quite a while since McGregor competed in the Octagon, with his last such appearance coming against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
Abdelaziz says if Nurmagomedov were to fight McGregor, it would be for revenge after McGregor and associates attacked a bus full of fighters to get at the lightweight champion.
“There’s only one reason Khabib wants to fight him: to make him pay for what he did [in Brooklyn]. For Khabib, it’s not only about money. It’s about disciplining him,” says Abdelaziz.
Nurmagomedov is currently observing Ramadan, it is unknown at this time when the champion will defend the gold.
