ABU DHABI – When UFC president Dana White and lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov met behind closed doors on Friday, a handful of potential names were discussed to potentially retire. Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre was not among them.
UFC lightweight contenders Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Dan Hooker and Charles Oliveira were among Nurmagomedov’s potential opponents (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) if he returned. However, St.-Pierre (26-2 MMA, 20-2 UFC) was not bred as that boat has sailed because none of the fighters are interested.
“No,” White said Saturday at the UFC press conference on ABC 1 news channel. “GSP never showed up. (Nurmagomedov) is not interested in this fight. From what I’ve heard today, GSP isn’t either. So, that’s it. “
Nurmagomedov and St-Pierre had expressed interest in fighting each other in the past. Faced with a record 29-0 win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October, Nurmagomedov dropped St-Pierre as an ideal opponent for his 30th fight.
After Nurmagomedov’s withdrawal, St-Pierre diverted the question of whether or not he would have accepted the fight if he had been offered it and if Nurmagomedov had not announced his withdrawal to the cage.
As for what comes next to Nurmagomedov, White revealed during the UFC broadcast on ABC 1 that the champion will make a final decision after UFC 257 on January 23rd. He wants to see if any performance skips him and makes him want to come back for number 30.
Nurmagomedov will fly to Las Vegas next week. Following the conclusion of UFC 257, White will follow suit. Both are expected to dine and discuss Nurmagomedov’s final decision on dinner shortly thereafter. This time, White hopes to finally get his answer yes or no.
“He’s making a corner on Wednesday and then he’s leaving,” White said. “He goes and goes to Las Vegas. I’ll have the fight and come home Sunday, and I’ll see him again in Las Vegas. Those fights will be over. He and I will connect, go to dinner in Las Vegas, and talk again. We will make a decision. The only thing he said was, ‘I won’t put up with the split.’ “