Khabib Nurmagomedov has always expressed his profound respect for Georges St-Pierre, the former UFC welterweight champion. Both have openly praised each other and expressed their desire to compete, whether in mixed martial arts or grappling.
Recently, Australian BJJ black belt Craig Jones alleged that Nurmagomedov had set a massive financial demand that priced him out of a potential match against GSP.
Speaking during an episode of his podcast, Jones stated that Khabib requested a staggering $5 million for a grappling match. He recounted his conversation with the UFC Fight Pass team:
“I was with the [UFC] Fight Pass guys, and they were trying to ask me for opponents for ‘GSP,’ for ideas… I remember I said Khabib, and I think they said Khabib wanted $5 million to do the grappling match. I was like, ‘Woah!’ Obviously that’s priced himself out there. Those guys would be cool to see. I’d love to train with those guys and feel what it’s like, you know?”
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s longtime manager, Rizvan Magomedov, swiftly dismissed Jones’ claims in a statement to Russian news agency TASS.
“They proposed to hold a fight, but the conversation didn’t even reach the amounts,” said Magomedov. “They didn’t even discuss, they didn’t ask what amount and price. They asked if there was a desire or not. Then it was all over. And where did Craig Jones get the figure about 5 million, maybe his grandmother whispered these numbers to him. It looks funny.”
It’s essential to note that, according to Magomedov, there were no concrete discussions or specific monetary figures mentioned during the exchange. The alleged $5 million demand appears to be a product of misunderstanding or misinformation.
This clarification from Nurmagomedov’s camp highlights the complexities of rumors in the combat sports world, where even a casual conversation can lead to misconceptions and inflated stories. Whether a grappling match between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre ever materializes remains uncertain, but for now, the $5 million figure appears to be nothing more than an imaginative tale.
