Chael Sonnen believes Khabib Nurmagomedov would have agreed to run it back with Conor McGregor if the UFC had moved the negotiations in the right direction and figured out what Nurmagomedov really wanted.
“The Notorious” and “The Eagle” share one of the most bitter rivalries in UFC history, and to date, hate each other to the core.
Nurmagomedov made the first defense of his lightweight championship against McGregor at UFC 229, where he submitted the Irishman in Round 4 with a neck crank.
The undefeated Russian phenom’s last fight came at UFC 254, where he submitted Justin Gaethje in Round 2 and then announced his decision to hang up the gloves. “The Eagle” had promised his mother he would not continue fighting after the passing of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and he kept his word.
Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s repeated efforts to bring Khabib Nurmagomedov back for one more fight, the latter stayed true to his decision to retire.
Thus, Conor McGregor’s hope of facing his archrival again and avenging the loss was ultimately dashed.
Chael Sonnen explains why Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2 Never Happened
Chael Sonnen believes Khabib Nurmagomedov would have agreed to run it back with Conor McGregor, but the UFC brass “looked at the wrong number” and not exactly what “The Eagle” wanted. In a recent YouTube video on his channel, he said:
Conor vs. Khabib Part 2 would have happened. The negotiators looked at the wrong number. They just kept upping the pay. They didn’t understand this. They didn’t understand what Khabib didn’t wanna do was he didn’t wanna make that weight [155 pounds] again. If they had offered that fight and offered it at 170 [pounds], that negotiation would have gotten a lot further. This is extremely real, what I am sharing with you.”
Check out Chael Sonnen’s comments below (4:24):
Chael Sonnen wants Paddy Pimblett to move up to 170-pounds
Chael Sonnen wants Paddy Pimblett to move up to the welterweight division, as Pimblett’s walking weight and physical attributes are enough to understand that the Liverpudlian is a natural 170-pounder.
“The Baddy” continuing to compete at lightweight could eventually harm his organs due to extreme weight cuts.
Hence, the UFC Hall of Famer suggested:
I love the idea. Let me be the first to nominate Paddy “The Baddy” for the welterweight division.”
While suggesting the move up, Chael Sonnen pointed out how Ilia Topuria moved up to 155-pounds, Conor McGregor showed reluctance to return to featherweight, and how Islam Makhachev vacated his lightweight title and then dominantly captured the welterweight throne at UFC 322.
Sonnen added that many fighters don’t retire because of losses, but because they grow tired of cutting weight and then decide to quit. Hence, Pimblett, who is still in his prime, should consider a permanent move up to 170 pounds, where he could potentially perform better and have a long career.
