Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager: We don't really care about Conor McGregor rematch

Undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in the Octagon, following a dominant win over now-former interim champion Justin Gaethje. As the youngest son, Nurmagomedov lives 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.

There was great pressure on him not to take this fight all, as it entailed leaving home for an extended period to prepare for the bout in Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island bubble. Khabib promised his mother that he would retire after the win, and he did.

However, he remains in the USADA testing pool, and will be watching in person as Conor McGregor fights Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23rd, back on Fight Island. A meeting is scheduled with UFC president Dana White about his future, which means the retirement remains in question to some degree. White says his ideal world, McGregor wins, and Khabib agrees to a rematch. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz was asked about it.

[Would] beating Conor McGregor mean anything? I don’t know, said Abdelaziz. But I think it would mean a lot for the fans, and I think financially, it’s a huge fight. But we know Khabib. It’s hard to persuade him financially.

But my man Dana White and Khabib, they’re going to meet. I think they’re going to meet in Abu Dhabi, and after that, Khabib’s going to come to Vegas and they’re going to go to dinner in Vegas, and we’re going to figure it out. Like I said, this is big boys’ business. I’m going to let them do what they do, and I’ll be a fan.

He beat the s*** out of Conor. He did everything he wanted to do. He beat him in the striking department, he beat him [in] the wrestling department, he beat him in the grappling department. He broke his soul. He took his will.

We don’t really care about him. Somebody might say $100 million or something like that. I don’t think would persuade Khabib if Khabib did want to fight. I really don’t know. I really didn’t pressure Khabib or ask him about it too much. I let him be.