Khabib
Nurmagomedov has no interest in a reality TV gig opposite
Conor
McGregor.
The reigning lightweight champion confirmed a recent statement made
by his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, that he
vetoed the possibility of coaching a season of “The Ultimate
Fighter” against the Irish superstar.
“‘The Ultimate Fighter’ with him is good attention for him,”
Nurmagomedov told
ESPN. “I don’t want to give him this. I never give him this.
Even if they give me $5 billion — even if they gave me the UFC —
I never do this. This is good attention for him.
“It’s done. Everything is done Oct. 6, 2018. I finish him. I finish
everything about him.”
After months of bad blood, Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in the
fourth round of their 155-pound title bout at UFC 229 on that
aforementioned date. After his victory, the Dagestani jumped out of
the Octagon to confront McGregor’s corner, prompting a melee that
resulted in fines and suspensions for both fighters as well as
members of their teams.
The event itself was reportedly the best selling pay-per-view in
UFC history, which is why the promotion has been interested in
booking a rematch between the two rivals. Nurmagomedov is currently
slated to meet interim king Justin
Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner on Oct. 24, while the Las
Vegas-based organization is targeting a rematch between McGregor
and Dustin
Poirier — though the latter is far from a done deal.
Regardless of what the future holds, Nurmagomedov doesn’t seem
interested in a return date with McGregor at this point in
time.
“I had new challenge in Dustin Poirier [in 2019] and now Justin
Gaethje,” Nurmagomedov said. “We’ll see who it’s going to be next,
but I don’t think it’s going to be Conor McGregor.”