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Khabib sensationally 'rejects' $15 million McGregor rematch

Khabib Nurmagomedov has sensationally turned down a highly-anticipated re-match with Conor McGregor, worth a reported 15 million pounds.

The undefeated lightweight champion’s uncle, Alex Nurmagomedov, told Russian newspaper Sport Express that another showdown is off the table.

UFC president Dana White confirmed shortly after the fight of McGregor’s desire to line-up another fight with Khabib, after he was dominated for much of their UFC 229 bout.

Instead, Khabib is set to challenge in-form Tony Ferguson, and then announce his retirement from the fight game.

Khabib has sensationally turned down a $15 million rematch with Conor McGregor in the UFC. Pic: Getty
Khabib has sensationally turned down a $15 million rematch with Conor McGregor in the UFC. Pic: Getty

“He will not fight him for any money. Yes, I know that they are offering him a rematch. From the start, they offered him $15m, if he agrees,” Alex Nurmagomedov said.

“But Khabib said no. Let Conor stand in line, let him fight with others.

“Khabib wants to fight Ferguson, and then finish his career.”

The claims mirror those of UFC colour commentator Joe Rogan, who said while a Khabib-McGregor would be a blockbuster in terms of revenue, it’s not in the best interest from a fight perspective.

“There’s all this talk about a Conor rematch, because financially that would be a fantastic fight,” Rogan said on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

“But if you look at what happened, that was a dominant victory. There was one round where Conor did pretty good, the third round.

“Other than that, Khabib just sort of dominated him. I mean, he dropped him in the second, beat the f****ing s*** out of him in the fourth.”

Tony Ferguson could be Khabib’s next target, after his impressive UFC lightweight fight against Anthony Pettis. Pic: Getty
Tony Ferguson could be Khabib’s next target, after his impressive UFC lightweight fight against Anthony Pettis. Pic: Getty

Ferguson fought on the same card as Khabib and McGregor at UFC 229, in a bloody victory over lightweight rival Anthony Pettis.

Despite Khabib’s uncle ruling out a rematch with McGregor, the mixed messages from his manager might tell a different story.

Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz initially blasted discussions of a potential rematch, but he quickly backtracked to say the best interests of Khabib will determine his future – namely, money.

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“The UFC made a lot of money, this guy (McGregor) made a lot of money, Khabib made a lot of money,” Abdelaziz told TMZ.

“Now he’s talking about a rematch? This guy, he quit.

“How are we going to give a guy a rematch? He’s a b****.

“I said before he was a prostitute and he is still a prostitute.

“It’s business, whatever is going to bring Khabib money, I’ll do.”

Khabib’s manager blasts 50 Cent’s ‘garbage’ fight offer

The audacious bid launched by rapper 50 Cent to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov away from the UFC has backfired brutally.

The music star revealed in an Instagram post his offer to pay the Russian $2 million in cash to leave the UFC and join rival promotion Bellator.

But Khabib’s manager has since responded to the offer, and he absolutely rubbished it:

“For $2m, (that won’t even) open a Coca-Cola bottle for Khabib,” Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told TMZ.

Khabib’s manager blasts 50 Cent’s ‘garbage’ fight offer. Pic: Getty
Khabib’s manager blasts 50 Cent’s ‘garbage’ fight offer. Pic: Getty

“Khabib make a lot of money. We talk about $50m and up, we can talk. But $2m? This is garbage.

“50 Cent’s offer was simply disrespectful.”

The initial offer from 50 Cent followed the impending suspensions, and possible bans, that Khabib and his crew will suffer as a result of the fallout from the UFC 229 main event.

While many thought it was a decent offer, reported as “massive”, Abdelaziz thinks it is far off the mark.

The response prompted 50 Cent to take to Instagram to launch a scathing assessment of Abdelaziz’s handling of the situation – and he has since deleted it:

“Another case of bad representation, This Fool in a cheap suit talking big money,” 50 Cent wrote.

But 50 Cent’s words didn’t just spark a stoush between himself and Khabib’s manager, with the undefeated UFC fighter also getting involved – all but ending the prospect of him joining the Bellator promotion.

“Never talk bad about my brother,” Khabib commented.