I’m sure you all remember Khabib Nurmagomedov’s callout to Conor McGregor during his UFC 205 post-fight interview. “The Eagle” went in Nate Diaz style (without the profanity) and threw his name in the hat as another potential challenger for “The Notorious” at the time.
That callout did land Khabib the McGregor fight two years later, which ultimately boosted his stock, big-time. For Daniel Cormier, it was a smart move to make, even for Khabib who was a prelim fighter back then.
“Khabib’s on the prelims, ‘I want to fight your chicken,’” Cormier told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. “And all of a sudden, they start to mention Khabib and Conor in the same breath. Khabib isn’t the champ yet, he’s a young guy on his way up, and then it just builds. And then the UFC can call back to that.
“The Irish people going crazy with Khabib in the middle of the Octagon, and then if it ever comes a time when they have to fight, there’s just so much history built up. And I think that it just explodes.”
Cormier knows the name value that McGregor brings, and how it can do wonders for any opponent. He’s now encouraging both Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker to do what Khabib did, should either of them end up victorious at UFC 257.
“For Chandler to be in the co-main event, it puts him in a perfect spot. And Dan Hooker, too,” Cormier said. “If I’m Dan Hooker and I win, I’m immediately saying something about McGregor.
“Whoever wins at 155 pounds on that fight card, you say something about McGregor, because guess what? McGregor doesn’t have the ability to not respond. He will say something back.
“There’s a level of stardom that comes with fighting on and with this dude that I’ve never seen.”
Chandler already issued a challenge to McGregor, as he believes he will be a “nightmare” for the Irishman to deal with.
UFC 257 takes place on Jan. 23 at the Etihad Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
About the author
