Khabib Challenges Georges St-Pierre to November Fight After Reported Retirement

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wants MMA legend Georges St-Pierre to delay his retirement so they can fight in November.

Nurmagomedov made the proposal in an Instagram post Wednesday after ESPN.com's Ariel Helwani reported GSP is expected to retire at a press conference Thursday.

"Let's do it in November. After this fight you can retire," Nurmagomedov wrote. "I grow up on your fights, and have nothing but respect for you, and I believe showed that to you George when you were in Moscow. But, it would be honor for me to share Octagon with one of the greatest fighters of all time."

Nurmagomedov offered to fight at either 155 or 160 pounds, with Abu Dhabi, Montreal, Moscow or New York City serving as the host city for what would be a highly anticipated final clash for GSP.

It's unclear whether the 37-year-old former UFC welterweight champion will consider the offer or if his retirement decision has already been finalized.

Helwani noted St-Pierre "hoped to secure a fight" against the Russian superstar but made the decision to walk away from the sport after "it was clear that fight would not materialize."

St-Pierre took a four-year absence from MMA following his UFC 167 split-decision victory over Johny Hendricks to retain the welterweight title. He returned at UFC 217 in November 2017 to defeat Michael Bisping via rear-naked choke for the middleweight belt before vacating the championship because of ulcerative colitis.

The Canada native compiled a 26-2 record while establishing himself as one of the sport's first superstars during a professional career that began in 2002.

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov owns an undefeated 27-0 mark following his submission victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October. The chaos inside and outside the Octagon following that hyped bout led to a nine-month suspension.

Now the question is if his return fight will be against one of the greatest ever or whether GSP will stick with his plan to enter retirement despite the last-ditch effort from Khabib.