Manager of Khabib Nurmagomedov Thinks Fighter Would Return to MMA for Fight With GSP

TMZ Sports recently spoke to Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who discussed what it would take for Nurmagomedov to potentially come out of his self-proclaimed retirement. Previously, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October.

In the past, former UFC middleweight and welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre voiced that he would only come out of retirement to fight one more time against Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is undefeated in his professional career. Abdelaziz told TMZ, “Honestly, I think if Georges St-Pierre is serious about coming back to fight, I could see it happening, that would get Khabib up.”

GSP last fought in 2017 when he finished Michael Bisping to capture the middleweight title. He later relinquished the title and eventually retired from fighting. Abdelaziz added on the subject, “I think financially it’s a huge fight. But, we know Khabib, it’s hard to persuade him financially.”

Nurmagomedov’s late father, Abdulmanap, who died last July due to complications from COVID-19, had wanted his son to fight GSP before retiring. Abdelaziz also noted that Nurmagomedov and UFC President Dana White are planning to sit down for a dinner meeting soon, and they will potentially discuss Nurmagomedov’s future. Abdelaziz continued, “Dana is really good at getting people to do things.”