Jon Jones explains why Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Conor McGregor in potential rematch
Jon Jones believes if Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have their rematch it would be the Dagestani champion getting his hand raised again.
The two fought at UFC 229 where it was Nurmagomedov who won by fourth-round submission. Since then, the Irishman has been clamoring for a rematch. UFC president, Dana White has said he is interested in booking the rematch. But, Nurmagomedov is scheduled to defend his belt against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 which will be a massive fight.
For Jon Jones, if the two rivals do the rematch, he knows Nurmagomedov would get his hand raised again.
“I typically don’t go against wrestlers, if you were asking me as a betting man,” Jones said to TMZ Sports (transcript via MMA Junkie). “Wrestlers have the power to dictate where the fight goes – whether it’s going to be a standing match, or whether he’s going to take him to the ground and make it a jiu-jitsu match. I think the cards are always kind of in Khabib’s hands. Conor definitely has a chance. But if I would put my money on it, I’m definitely going with Khabib, for sure.”
For the rematch to happen, Nurmagomedov will need to beat Ferguson in April which is a very tough test. He also has said he isn’t interested in the rematch even for $100 million. So, whether or not he would even accept a rematch is unknown.
Nurmagomedov is coming off a submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 to defend his lightweight title again.
Conor McGregor, meanwhile, returned to the win column last time out with a 40-second knockout win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. It was his first fight since losing to Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. When he will return to the Octagon is unknown. But, he remains adamant he wants the Dagestani champion and knows he would get his hand raised.
