It sounded crazy at first, but now Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. GSP actually seems like an (improbable) dream fight

So I’m sitting here on Monday morning, enjoying my coffee while I stare blankly out the window, when suddenly a memory surfaces out of nowhere.

Wait, did Khabib Nurmagomedov really call out Georges St-Pierre after winning the (now one and only) UFC lightweight title in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Saturday night? Did that seriously happen? Or did I overdo it on the cough syrup and up having GSP-themed hallucinations again?

Then I went to the videotape. And sure enough, there it was. The newly minted UFC champion Nurmagomedov (26-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) really stood in that cage and asked for St-Pierre (26-2 MMA, 20-2 UFC) at Madison Square Garden in November.

At the post-fight press conference, Nurmagomedov would walk that challenge back a little bit. As he explained, he’s not looking to go up in weight to challenge St-Pierre. He also doubts that GSP would really come down to 155 pounds to fight him. (He wouldn’t, as GSP himself more or less confirmed.)

So why come at him with a date and location, especially when pretty much the entire viewing audience was waiting for a Conor McGregor callout just then?

“When I talk with my father, like one year ago, he told me his dream fight is me vs. Georges St-Pierre,” Nurmagomedov said. “I remember when I grow up, like 11, 12 years ago, when I compete in combat sambo Dagestan championship, like junior combat sambo Dagestan championship, he fight for the UFC title. When I grew up, I watch his fights, all fights with my father, and he is greatest athlete who ever compete in UFC. Middleweight, welterweight champion.

“And I hear about he want to come and fight in 155, take this belt, make history, become UFC three-division champion,” Nurmagomedov continued. “Why not? Me vs. Georges St-Pierre. If I beat Conor or if I beat Georges St-Pierre, which one is better for my legacy? Maybe for money, it’s Conor, but for legacy it’s Georges St-Pierre.”

And yeah, when you think about it, it’s tough to argue with that logic. In some alternate universe where GSP can get healthy quick (or least lose enough weight as a consequence of his illness that making 155 pounds is feasible), Nurmagomedov vs. St-Pierre is kind of a dream fight.

It’s two guys with a similar style and completely different mentalities. St-Pierre wants to jab and double-leg you to pieces like a nerdy kid dissecting a dragonfly over summer break. Nurmagomedov wants to single-leg you and then whisper discouraging thoughts into your ear as he peppers you with punches until you succumb to his manifest destiny.

Nurmagomedov is younger, in his prime, so he’s got that on his side. But GSP probably has the edge in size, and he definitely has more big fight experience.

Would I watch that fight? You bet your furry hat I would. But then I go back and review the footage of McGregor running around the loading docks of Barclays Center with a hand truck held menacingly aloft, and I’m quickly brought back to our current reality.

If you’re the promoter, Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor is the fight that sells itself just on YouTube clips alone. Assuming McGregor’s legal troubles don’t get in the way, it’s probably a bout you book before the year is out. (And if the lawsuits come rolling in as expected, McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) might find himself in need of a payday to help defray those costs.)

Matter of fact, I probably would have never even considered an alternative had Nurmagomedov not put that GSP idea out there. And yet, now that it’s out there, one can’t help but wonder…

For complete coverage of UFC 223, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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