Daniel Cormier: IF Khabib Nurmagomedov returns, it would have to be vs. Georges St-Pierre

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement in the Octagon following a dominant win over now-former interim champion Justin Gaethje. As the youngest son, Nurmagomedov lived in his parent’s home, with the aim of supporting them in their late age. Following the death of his father Abdulmanap in July due to complications from COVID-19, The Eagle became head of household.

Thus there was enormous pressure on him not to take this fight all, as it entailed leaving home for an extended period to prepare for the bout in the Fight Island bubble in Abu Dhabi. “The Eagle” promised his mother that that was it. However, he is now 29-0, one win short of the 30-0 goal he had set for himself. He remains in the USADA testing pool. His manager Ali Abdelazziz has hinted that he will fight again. And retirement in MMA is not usually retirement retirement.

Khabib’s friend and AKA teammate, former champ champ Daniel Cormier spoke recently with Damon Martin for MMA Fighting, and said he can see the champ having one last fight.

“I don’t know for certain that Khabib is going to fight. I don’t know if he’s not going to fight,” he said. “I try to keep our relationship a friendship. I don’t want to always be talking to him about things about his career because he’s a star. … But if you ask me still, I know this guy is a man of his word so I don’t know what he’s going to do.

It would have to be Georges St-Pierre. I believe that a big fight is what he would want in order to just prove himself. … Khabib Nurmagomedov is just trying to make history and a win over Georges St-Pierre would do exactly that for him. When your resume becomes so big, not many things can add value to it. If he can go and [fight] GSP and beat GSP, that adds value. … It’s a great fight.”

St-Pierre too has retired and returned, and has said he would only return for an extraordinary, legacy building fight. This would be that. Make it happen Dana White.