Within the shadow of The Eagle: UFC matchmaker Khabib has acquired Conor McGregor & light-weight rivals dancing to his tune

The announcement that Khabib Nurmagomedov will solely contemplate a comeback if his UFC light-weight rivals show themselves worthy exhibits that the Russian is asking the photographs – certainly a galling state of affairs for Conor McGregor.

After cranking up the anticipation and making followers wait a little bit longer than anticipated on Saturday night time, UFC president Dana White lastly revealed the result of the discussions he had held in the future earlier with Khabib.

Would the retired Russian return for one final combat and a shot on the 30-Zero mark, or was the 155lbs champ really performed together with his exceptional, unblemished profession?

Effectively, the reply was that we nonetheless don’t know.

For now, the light-weight title stays within the arms of the 32-year-old Russian.

In accordance with White, Khabib is keen to return to the UFC octagon to defend it – however with the caveat that it should be towards somebody he deems deserving.

“Present me one thing spectacular” is supposedly the problem Khabib has laid out to his light-weight rivals in the event that they actually wish to lure him again.

The #UFC257 stakes have been raised! 👀@DanaWhite provides us an replace on @TeamKhabib's preventing standing. pic.twitter.com/FFC2GNeIUY

— UFC (@ufc) January 16, 2021

White mentioned the Dagestani had been impressed by Charles Oliveira’s dominant choice victory over Tony Ferguson in December, and that he can be carefully following occasions at UFC 257 on Combat Island on January 23.

That card incorporates a sure Irishman topping the invoice for his rematch with Dustin Poirier, whereas new UFC arrival Michael Chandler meets Kiwi slugger Dan Hooker within the co-main occasion.

It’s maybe no coincidence that the hype surrounding subsequent weekend’s occasion in Abu Dhabi has now been ramped up a notch with the prospect of spectacular performances establishing a Khabib showdown. In spite of everything, Dana White is never one to overlook a advertising trick.

With Saturday’s information, Khabib has successfully assumed the place of matchmaker for his UFC return. The message is obvious: if he’s not inquisitive about what’s on supply, there’s no aggressive incentive for him to mud off his gloves.

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Think about for a second how that feels from the angle of these on the opposite aspect of the equation. The gauntlet has been thrown right down to the likes of Oliveira, Chandler and Hooker, in addition to former Khabib victims McGregor, Poirier and Gaethje.

Some have already responded. Brazilian sensation Oliveira respectfully tweeted that he was prepared. Former featherweight king Max Holloway even threw his hat into the ring once more following his victory towards Calvin Kattar on Saturday night time, in what was one of many UFC’s all-time nice hanging masterclasses.

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Dana White, nonetheless, has made little secret of the person he desires Khabib to come back out of retirement for. Conor McGregor continues to be a blockbuster draw, and a rematch with Khabib would – by far – be the largest combat the promotion may make.

Whereas straining to retain impartiality, White will probably be sitting with every thing crossed on the Etihad Enviornment subsequent weekend, hoping that McGregor is the person to supply the fireworks that spark Khabib’s curiosity.

McGregor has promised as a lot, saying he’ll create a “masterpiece” towards Poirier – a person he destroyed inside one spherical when the primary the pair met again in 2014.

After an aborted comeback ‘season’ in 2020, McGregor seems to be totally targeted once more, purportedly an upgraded model of The Infamous.        

For the Irishman, although, White’s phrases on Saturday should have stung at the very least a little bit. He has to bop to Khabib’s tune as he heads into his contest with Poirier. McGregor is now successfully on present in Abu Dhabi not simply to the followers, but in addition his Dagestani rival. It’s a possibility, however it’s additionally a transparent sign the place the ability lies.

The Khabib rematch is an itch that McGregor is determined to scratch. It has been in his ideas main as much as the Poirier combat, as evidenced by his social media spats with Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib’s supervisor, and feedback in regards to the supposedly “scared” Russian fighter “scurrying” from the UFC.

Satisfied that he was distracted and much from his peak of their Las Vegas grudge match at UFC 229 in October 2018, the Dubliner desires a second crack at Khabib.

The one different time McGregor has misplaced within the UFC octagon – towards Nate Diaz – he rectified that throughout the area of 5 months. This time the injuries of defeat have festered for much longer.  

Khabib may stroll off into the sundown, secure within the data that he settled his most acerbic rivalry. McGregor, at current, doesn’t have that luxurious.

Forged your thoughts again to that fractious night time in Las Vegas greater than two years in the past, and issues have been very completely different. Khabib was the light-weight champion, however in lots of respects it was seen because the return of the king as former two-weight title holder McGregor stepped again into the octagon after his money-spinning foray into boxing.

Ever since that loss, McGregor has sought the possibility to degree the rating together with his Russian tormentor. His plan – partly outlined in Moscow towards the top of 2019 – was for his 2020 season to culminate in a rematch with the Russian. That was scrapped as Covid took maintain.

As he’s usually so wont to inform us, McGregor’s enterprise inventory could by no means have been larger. However in preventing phrases, he has catching as much as do if he desires to achieve the rarified heights he as soon as occupied.

Khabib, for his half, has persistently dismissed the thought of working issues again. Been there, performed that, acquired the T-shirt. That’s primarily the road Khabib has trotted out with disdain when approached with the thought of a rematch with McGregor. Since Las Vegas, he’s the one who’s held all of the playing cards within the rivalry.

It’s laborious to say whether or not a McGregor masterclass subsequent weekend would even change that, or if there’s sufficient water underneath the bridge after the insults and fractiousness of the pair’s first combat. Khabib has admitted cash can be an element, however the sort of sums must be really eye-watering (and record-breaking) for a person who’s already greater than snug in monetary phrases.

Whether or not he likes it or not, McGregor now must impress a person he has so usually ridiculed if he ever desires to share the cage with him once more. It’s not a place the Irishman has change into accustomed to.  

The shadow of The Eagle looms massive over UFC 257 subsequent weekend.

By Liam Tyler