Dana White denies Khabib turned down McGregor rematch
Rumours on the future of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov continue to dominate the MMA headlines, with the latest one being shot down Dana White. The UFC President responded to reports that Khabib had turned down a lucrative $15m payday to fight McGregor in preference to a Ferguson fight, by stating on social media, “This story is Number 1 BULLSHIT”
Tony Ferguson also a winner on the UFC 229 card when he beat Anthony Pettis in a brutal encounter, is the number one contender and had also been scheduled to fight the Russian on four previous occasions all of which fell through for one reason or another. As a result, it is thought White is reluctant to pair them up again.
This story is Number 1 BULLSHIT. pic.twitter.com/BuWnU6tTy7
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 17, 2018
Khabib’s future is still up in the air after he threatened to quit the UFC if they fired his team mate Zubaira Tukhugov, who jumped into the octagon at UFC 229 to attack McGregor during a brawl.
Adding to this there are also reports that the Russian has received a substantial offer to join former UFC star Ronda Rousey in the WWE, while speculation surrounding a boxing clash with Floyd Mayweather in Vegas is also gathering momentum.
The Russian also appears to have options in MMA after former rapper 50 Cent offered him an escape route from UFC with a $2million offer to fight for Bellator MMA — a rival franchise. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, and Khabib exchanged words about the opportunity on Twitter.
I️ think it’s wrong what the UFC is doing to Khabib, they didn’t do the same thing to McGregor. I’ll pay 2 million cash tonight if he will fight for me at Bellator. pic.twitter.com/K7QYxR4IHI
— 50cent (@50cent) October 13, 2018
With all of this speculation ongoing there is still the small matter of the Nevada Athletic Commission who are still investigating their post-fight UFC 229 brawl and are expected to give their verdict on the 24th of October.
Both McGregor and Khabib are currently serving temporary suspensions until the decision is made, with the Russian expected to be handed a hefty fine and much longer suspension.
With all of these options apparently on the table for the champion, Dana White will insist that his fighter remains loyal to his contract, although he will need to be on his game if he is to control any additional rumours being floated out there.
He has made no secret of the fact that McGregor requested the rematch within hours of his loss, however he was equally swift in burning the reports around any offer having been made for the rematch.
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