Max Holloway never crossed Khabib Nurmagomedov's mind as UFC 223 replacement opponent
- by Henry Herrera
- in Sports
- — Apr 3, 2018
With Tony Ferguson out with a leg injury, Khabib Nurmagomedov will now fight UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway in the UFC 223 main event.
And White confirmed that the victor of the bout would walk away as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion, with the title departing the waist of two-weight champ Conor McGregor in the process. "He tore his LCL", UFC president Dana White told ESPN as he confirmed the news.
"I don't want to think it's much easier fight than Tony Ferguson", Nurmagomedov said.
Holloway has agreed to come in as the replacement fighter, and should he defeat Nurmagomedov, he will match McGregor's record of holding two belts at the same time. UFC 223 is packed with a number of exciting fights including the co-main event which will see former UFC strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk look to reclaim her belt from current champion Rose Namajunas. "I think Conor could return in September, and it could be against one of these guys". This fight was scheduled to take place in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and it never happened because Khabib pulled out twice and Ferguson once due to different injuries. I've got business to handle at 145. "I can't wait. This guy is one of the most feared guys", said Holloway. "Hope, this lesson will teach you watch your mouth". I was like...how do you turn down an opportunity like this? 170 pounds - where I have 12 fights.I mean, GSP, literally if he wants a money fight, he's an athlete. "April 7 is going to be a great night", he said.
You know what they say: To be the best you've got to beat the best, and the best is 'Blessed, ' baby.
Nurmagomedov then explained why he believes he didn't get his desired fight with McGregor. "Why I need to take six days before fight?"
"I do not understand", Nurmagomedov said. He loaded the card with other highly attractive matches, giving himself a fallback position if the fight were canceled.
St-Pierre dominated the welterweight division as champion for years until his retirement in 2013.
But still, to accept this fight in these circumstances, its speaks volumes about Holloway walking the walk, and not just talking the talk.
