Khabib Nurmagomedov says he would happily fight Conor McGregor again in one of the biggest UFC bouts of all time

• Khabib Nurmagomedov held a press conference in Moscow on Friday.
• During the media event, he spoke about his October 24 opponent Justin Gaethje, and potential opponents he could face in the future.
• Nurmagomedov told reporters he would be happy to take on anyone, including Conor McGregor, Georges St. Pierre, or Tony Ferguson.
• "If McGregor returns [from retirement], I will be glad to fight him," Nurmagomedov said.

Khabib Nurmagomedov said at a press conference Friday that he would happily fight Conor McGregor again, in what would be one of the biggest UFC bouts of all time.

McGregor said in an abrupt social media announcement in June that he was retiring from combat sports because he was bored, tired, and unexcited at options the UFC had presented to him.

The Irishman had originally intended to fight three times in 2020, but has not competed since a January demolition of Donald Cerrone, stopping the American in 40 seconds in Las Vegas.

One of the first things the UFC president Dana White said after McGregor's victory, was that a Nurmagomedov match was the next fight to make.

However, between the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and McGregor's retirement statement, a rematch involving the UFC's two marquee fighters appeared more distant than ever.

Until today.

"If [Conor] McGregor returns, I will be glad to fight him," Nurmagomedov said at the Moscow media event according to a translator.

Conor McGregor must first break his retirement statement

Nurmagomedov's representative, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA Management, said earlier in the year: "Khabib really, really wants to make him earn [a rematch]."

Speaking this week, Nurmagomedov did not specify whether McGregor would need to return to the UFC with a second win since losing by fourth round submission in their first fight in 2018, but the Russian is busy with another bout anyway.

The sambo specialist, unbeaten in 28 pro MMA bouts, defends his UFC lightweight championship against the expert striker Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on October 24. The venue of this fight has not yet been announced.

Gaethje hinted this week that his strategy for the 155-pound match would rely on his striking, creating a "zone of death" which Nurmagomedov would regret entering whenever he got too close.

"I won't have any problems with him if I can't transfer him to the ground," Nurmagomedov said, seemingly unafraid to enter that "zone" and keep the fight on their feet. "Let's fight in standup. No problems."

And though Gaethje's record is heavily skewered toward knockout victories, he does have a collegiate wrestling background, and Nurmagomedov said he is aware of how that may also play a part in their fight.

"The man wrestled," said Nurmagomedov. "Knows how to stand back up on his feet. Very strong."

Regardless, Nurmagomedov said his game-plan would involve attempting to exhaust Gaethje and keep the fight going as long as possible — as he doesn't think highly of the American's stamina.

Nurmagomedov appeared open to all options after the Gaethje bout

Should Nurmagomedov triumph over Gaethje he would extend his unblemished pro record to 29 wins from as many fights.

There had been rumors the fighter would retire after 30 bouts, and the UFC boss Dana White had even said he would be willing to give Nurmagomedov anything he wanted — even a mega-bout involving Georges St. Pierre.

Nurmagomedov, 32 years old next month, mentioned his age during the Moscow media event, and even described himself as a veteran of the game.

He appeared focused on the Gaethje fight, said he is "no longer a fabulous age," but said he wants to compete against St. Pierre in April 2021, though is willing to fight anyone.

Nurmagomedov said a match with St. Pierre was his "father's dream fight" for him.

"But time goes on, Georges is 40 [and] must decide whether we will fight or not. If October goes well, ideally [St. Pierre] would be a fight in April, a couple months before Ramadan."

As for whether he would rather fight St. Pierre or McGregor next, he said: "After my next fight, I will be glad to fight anyone. Tony [Ferguson] … anyone."

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