Return to UFC Struggle Island: Can Dana White twist Khabib’s arm – and can we see fireworks if Russian champ & McGregor cross paths?

The UFC is again on Struggle Island for an additional keep at its house from house in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic – however this time the motion on the sidelines might show simply as intriguing as what unfolds contained in the octagon.

The newest Struggle Island extravaganza will get underway with the cardboard headlined by Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar on January 16, adopted by a Struggle Evening present topped by the welterweight contest between Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny on Wednesday, January 20.

The motion in Abu Dhabi culminates with the eagerly-awaited return of Conor McGregor as he rematches Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on January 23. 

However for all of the motion contained in the cage on Yas Island, there’s set to be loads of drama on the sidelines as offers are mentioned, potential flashpoints are navigated, and the way forward for UFC divisions is mapped out.     

Listed below are the important thing issues to be careful for. 

KHABIB MEETS DANA 

UFC boss Dana White has made no secret of his need to lure light-weight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement, after the unbeaten Russian shocked the MMA world by calling time on his profession following his submission of Justin Gaethje on Struggle Island in October. 

Feelings have been operating excessive in what was the primary combat for ‘The Eagle’ for the reason that dying of his father and coach Abdulmanap, resulting in recommendations that the choice was one solid within the warmth of the second, and as such could also be open to reconsideration.   

That’s definitely what White is hoping, and the UFC supremo has expressed confidence in his powers of persuasion to entice Khabib to alter course and return to the octagon for a crack on the 30-Zero mark. 

Additionally on rt.com

Likewise, White has made no secret of his want for that combat to be a blockbuster rematch with Conor McGregor, which is broadly seen as the most important, most profitable match-up the promotion might ebook.

Khabib and White have agreed to fulfill within the UAE, and the Russian has already arrived within the nation with a big entourage of teammates forward of the UFC debut of his cousin, Umar, on the McGregor-Poirier undercard on January 23. 

White is duly anticipated in Abu Dhabi this week and has mentioned he’ll meet with Khabib quickly after his arrival.

Nonetheless, counter to White’s plans to get Khabib to alter his thoughts over his retirement is the truth that the Russian star has to date largely poured chilly water on that prospect.

Again in Moscow in December, Khabib asserted that his assembly with White could be enterprise associated and would give attention to his plans for the UFC to host fights from his newly-acquired promotion, Eagle Combating Championship, on its Struggle Go streaming platform. 

Certainly, Khabib has incessantly reiterated that his post-octagon plans are centered on creating his nascent agricultural enterprise and different business pursuits – though he has expressed reluctance to formally vacate his title simply but. 

The 32-year-old says he anticipates that White will merely put extra money on the desk to deliver him again, admitting that a proposal like $ 100 million would “be an issue.”

There shall be an growing clamor from followers for Khabib to return again, and equally those that see honor in sticking to his unique resolution. 

Whereas we’re unlikely to know the speedy particulars of what goes down between Khabib and White after they meet, the discussions shall be a vital place to begin in whether or not we ever see the Dagestani destroyer competing within the octagon once more.  

Additionally on rt.com

THE MCGREGOR FACTOR

Conor McGregor’s probabilities of getting the chance to precise revenge on Khabib for his humbling 2018 defeat will largely relaxation on whether or not the Irishman defeats Dustin Poirier after they face one another once more at UFC 257. 

‘The Infamous’ gained the pair’s first encounter in fast trend at UFC 178 again in 2014, knocking out ‘Diamond’ inside the primary spherical of their featherweight contest.  

If McGregor realistically needs to earn himself one other crack at Khabib, he once more wants to beat Poirier, who himself gave the Russian a scare of their September 2019 bout earlier than being submitted within the third spherical. 

The presence of McGregor and Khabib on the similar time on Struggle Island provides spice to the combo, with the latter set to be in his cousin’s nook on the UFC 257 undercard. 

Khabib and McGregor haven’t come nose to nose since their explosive conflict in Las Vegas in 2018, which resulted in now notorious trend when Khabib sparked an all-out brawl by vaulting the cage.

Two of the opposite protagonists that evening, Khabib’s cousin Abubakar and teammate Zubaira Tukhugov, each of whom traded blows with McGregor within the melee, are with Khabib in Abu Dhabi, though whether or not they are going to be in speedy attendance at UFC 257 or in any form of proximity to McGregor is one other query. 

Khabib has mentioned he would not put it previous the UFC making an attempt to fabricate a ‘probability’ encounter between himself and the Dubliner, in an try and stoke tensions and gas grudges for a possible rematch. 

McGregor’s Russian nemesis is clearly nonetheless taking part in on his thoughts, as evidenced by the Twitter back-and-forth he engaged in with Khabib’s supervisor Ali Abdelaziz in the course of the festive interval. 

READ MORE: McGregor trades barbs with Khabib supervisor after Irishman resumes discuss of rematch

Will the pair meet on the sidelines on Struggle Island, and can the sparks fly in the event that they do? And if McGregor beats Poirier, will he take the prospect to name out Khabib? 

These are among the many questions that may very well be answered in Abu Dhabi within the subsequent fortnight. 

THE RETURN OF FANS 

The UFC’s three-card run at Etihad Area will see the long-awaited return of followers to look at the motion, marking the primary time that has occurred for the reason that Covid-19 pandemic asserted its grip in March final 12 months. 

Ever since, the kicks, punches, takedowns and calls from fighters’ corners have echoed round largely empty arenas as followers have been compelled to look at occasions from house. 

This time round in Abu Dhabi, the native Division of Tradition and Tourism has dominated restricted variety of spectators shall be allowed in attendance.

Some stories have put that quantity at round 2,00Zero for every occasion on the newly-built 18,00Zero seater venue, that means it will likely be at 11 p.c capability. 

It is a far cry from the lots sometimes thronging arenas wherever the UFC goes, however shall be taken as a step in the correct path because the promotion – as with the broader world – seeks a return to one thing approaching normality in 2021.   

Simply as with the UFC’s final two visits to Struggle Island, RT Sport shall be on the bottom in Abu Dhabi to deliver you all the most recent information and views, so you’ll want to observe us right here and throughout all our social media platforms.