Khabib Nurmagomedov has gone from one of the most dominant champions in UFC history to one of the sport's most successful and insightful coaches.
In a fascinating conversation with Henry Cejudo, 'The Eagle' explained how the former two-time champion can not only regain his old UFC title belt, but achieve it in less than twelve months.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Khabib Nurmagomedov says there is 'no other option' but Cejudo vs. Pantoja
Henry Cejudo is desperate to get back into the UFC title conversation, although 'Triple C' said in a chat with Khabib Nurmagomedov that he is more likely to go for the flyweight belt now that cousin Umar Nurmagomedov has arrived.
“I think Merab is a good fight for Umar; I think Umar is just too good a man stylistically even for me brother, I'm thinking of going to 57kg [125lbs] because of your cousin… Real recognizes real.”
According to the legendary former lightweight champion, there is “no other option” for the promotion than to pit Alexandre Pantoja against Henry Cejudo in mid-2025.
“There is no other option then [Alexandre] Pantoja, there is no fight [otherwise]… There is no other option. I think if they want a big fight for this weight class, they should make this – Cejudo vs. Pantoja would be big.
“We have to recognize real things, you know. Like I'm talking about you, I think you're all for this sport, but if I'm a promoter like Dana [White]I would try to get Pantoja to fight you because there is no one else… Cejudo vs. Pantoja is going to be big.
Cejudo may be on a two-fight losing streak right now – dropping decisions to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling – but there's one thing that will always keep Cejudo above his competitors: Olympic experience.
“But people underestimate one thing, [you are] Olympic champion, this is not normal [for other] people, this is slightly better than other people, they do not understand the level of the Olympic champion,” Nurmagomedov continued.
'If you're going to fight [Pantoja]your experience will always be there, no one can cancel your experience and if you put in a little discipline, you don't even need too much, just a little discipline… Stay healthy and eat clean, you can become a champion [again].”
In fact, Khabib Nurmagomedov is so confident that Cejudo could regain the UFC gold that he talks to Dana White about the match.
Khabib says he's going to “talk to Dana White” about Cejudo vs. Pantoja
Cejudo hasn't fought at 125 pounds since his title victory over TJ Dillashaw in 2019 and with his 38th birthday coming up in just a few weeks, 'Triple C' certainly doesn't have time on his side to make that cut again and again.
Khabib believes that in order to successfully move down to flyweight before he turns 39, Cejudo will need to fight one more time at bantamweight in early 2025 – before fighting Pantoja for flyweight gold in the summer.
'Do you know what you need? A first fight at 135 pounds and off you go [down to flyweight]First of all, you have to get your body back and if you win that fight, try not to take too long [away]don't take a vacation.
“If you fight in February, okay, then you leave in March, and then in April you jump into training camp and fight in International Fight Week for the title – can you imagine coming back and winning at 125?”
It's unclear whether this interview was conducted before or after Pantoja's title win at UFC 310, although Khabib Nurmagomedov was clear about one thing: “You can [be champion] – I'm going to talk to Dana too [for you].”
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