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It appears all but certain that Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to happen when “The Notorious” officially returns to action. The former two-division UFC champion has been out of action after taking a hiatus to box Floyd Mayweather and then dealing with some legal issues, but with those behind him he is ready to get back in the cage.
When he does, UFC president Dana White said current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is the most likely opponent.
“I think Khabib is a massive fight with Conor,” White said following UFC 225. “I think that’s the fight to happen right now. Listen, if Georges St-Pierre wants to move to 155, prove he can make it and fight the No. 1 contender down there. Then absolutely I’d do it.”
McGregor seemed to echo that point when speaking to TMZ recently and hinted that the fight could be right around the corner. According to McGregor, the two sides are finalizing a deal.
“Yes, very close,” McGregor said. “It’s not official, but very close.” He added that the fight could take place by the end of the year, “I believe so, I hope so.”
As for where the fight will take place, Madison Square Garden is an intriguing option but the Irishman believes it will be held in Las Vegas.
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To close out the year, the UFC will be holding pay-per-view events in Vegas on Oct. 6 (UFC 229) and Dec. 29 (UFC 232). If the promotion wants to end the year on a high note and build momentum for 2019 when their new television deal with ESPN kicks in, UFC 232 would be the best option. McGregor last fought in November 2016 when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez to win the UFC lightweight championship.
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