Dana White Says Nurmagomedov vs. GSP Could Happen If Tony Ferguson Bout Falls Through

Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to defend the UFC Lightweight Title next against former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson.

If that bout falls though, another fight that UFC President Dana White may be open to is Nurmagomedov versus former two division UFC champion Georges St. Pierre.

“That can happen, too,” White said to TMZ Sports (via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “We’ll see what happens with Tony. Tony’s had opportunities before that he didn’t take, so if he doesn’t, then I would be interested in talking about ‘GSP.’”

Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have been booked together multiple times throughout their respective UFC tenures, but said fights have always come apart for a variety of reasons.

White does know that this bout against Nurmagomedov is one that Ferguson needs because it makes the most sense.

“Tony Ferguson is the fight that needs to happen,” White said. “We’ve tried to do it four other times, so hopefully we can get it done this time. But that’s the fight that makes sense.”

GSP retired a short time after UFC 217 in November of 2017, but has been open to a bout with Nurmagomedov in the past.