Khabib's Manager Says Conor McGregor Rematch to Happen: 'This S--t Is Not over'
February 2, 2019
Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov, has said he thinks a rematch between his client and Conor McGregor will take place.
The duo met at UFC 229, with Nurmagomedov winning the bout via submission in the fourth round. The fight was sandwiched by an ill-tempered build-up and unsavoury scenes after the contest, when a brawl broke out inside the Octagon between both fighters' camps.
Speaking to TMZ after the Nevada State Athletic Commission dished out punishments for what occurred after the UFC 229 main event, Abdelaziz said he thinks the fighters will lock horns again.
"This fight will happen in the street, in the parking garage, under a bridge ... this s--t is not over," he said. "It's not. Especially when you keep running your mouth."
When asked for his thoughts on McGregor, Abdelaziz didn't hold back and described the Irishman as a "f--king full-blown piece of s--t scumbag."
Earlier in the week, he posted more thoughts on the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion:
As Ariel Helwani and Brett Okamoto of ESPN relayed, both Nurmagomedov and McGregor were hit with suspensions on Tuesday as punishment for their part in the brawl that followed their previous fight.
Nurmagomedov received a nine-month ban and was docked $500,000 from his $2 million purse. By contrast, McGregor's punishment was less severe, with a $50,000 fine and a six-month suspension.
Following the rulings, the Irishman posted the following bulletins on his Twitter account, praising the punishments attributed to each:
Conor McGregor @TheNotoriousMMAI am thankful for the Nevada athletic commissions fair assessment and handling of the brawl incident. It was not my intention to land the final blow of the night on my opponent’s blood relative. It’s just how it played out. I look forward to competing again soon. Thank you all.
Conor McGregor @TheNotoriousMMAStraight left hand inside the attackers jab. He attempted to use the big security guard that’s in all the movies as cover, but I could smell him a mile away and landed flush down the pipe. The final blow of the night UFC 229 in association with McGregor Sports and Entertainment. https://t.co/h4GO46oX3a
Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, suggested there may have been some bias mixed in with the respective sanctions:
The bad blood between the two fighters intensified before UFC 223, when McGregor attacked a bus that had Nurmagomedov and a number of other fighters on board. The Notorious was subsequently arrested and charged with disorderly conduct; he pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to do five days community service.
Given the continued needle that exists between the two men, the prospect of a rematch is something that would excite most MMA fans.
In their showdown at UFC 229, it was Nurmagomedov who was the dominant force, as he controlled the fight before eventually making McGregor tap out in the fourth round. It was a win that earned Nurmagomedov the title of undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
Nurmagomedov is eligible to return on July 6, though it could be reduced if he participates in an anti-bullying campaign.