There’s not an analyst in the world that didn’t peg Khabib Nurmagomedov as the toughest potential challenger to threaten the reign of Conor McGregor.
All the Russian standout had to do was keep his unbeaten streak in-tact against Tony Ferguson in this weekend’s UFC 209 co-main event, and the opportunity to face Conor McGregor would have been a reality.
Khabib and Ferguson were set to fight for the UFC’s interim lightweight belt, putting the winner as the next opponent for Conor McGregor, who is currently the undisputed champion of the division.
Booking the title fight didn’t guarantee a shot against the Irish star for Khabib, he would have still had to beat Ferguson. But, the Russian was the odds favorite to do so. And, his grappling heavy style is the picture perfect recipe to take out Conor.
With Khabib falling ill on the eve of UFC 209, he’s now lost his opportunity at UFC gold and the shot at Conor McGregor. Instead, the likely candidate for Conor is now Tony Ferguson, who made the weight at today’s UFC weigh-ins.
Ferguson is a much easier outing for Conor, at least on paper. The striking heavy brawler almost plays right into Conor’s strengths.
While the world anxiously awaited a Russia vs. Ireland matchup, Khabib’s misfortune is now a gift to Conor McGregor, and an opportunity to extend his winning ways with a little more ease.
Cuss and discuss in comments!
