Manager: Khabib declined offer to coach 'The Ultimate Fighter' vs. McGregor
The UFC had hoped to feature one of the biggest rivalries in the promotion's history in the upcoming reboot of "The Ultimate Fighter," but it won't be happening.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, said Tuesday that UFC president Dana White asked last week if the lightweight champion would be interested in coaching a season of the show opposite former two-division titleholder Conor McGregor.
"Last week, Dana White called me (and) said, 'Ali, what do you think about if Khabib wins (against Justin Gaethje), him and Conor will do 'The Ultimate Fighter' on ESPN?' This is breaking news," Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports. "I said, 'You know what? I don't know. I'll think about it.' And he said, 'Of course, vice versa if Justin wins.'"
White revealed earlier in September that the 29th season of "The Ultimate Fighter" would commence filming in late 2020 following the series' two-year hiatus.
Nurmagomedov, who is scheduled to face interim champ Gaethje in the UFC 254 main event on Oct. 24, ultimately shut down the idea of coaching against McGregor for the show, according to Abdelaziz.
"I talked with Khabib yesterday, and he said, 'This man is human trash. He's garbage,'" Abdelaziz recounted. "He said, 'When you touch shit, you smell shit.' He said, 'He doesn't earn to fight me. You understand? He doesn't earn to fight me.'"
Nurmagomedov and McGregor fought at UFC 229 in October 2018, with the Russian earning a fourth-round submission victory in his first title defense. The two stars engaged in an incredibly personal feud ahead of the bout, which resulted in the best-selling pay-per-view in UFC history.
There have been discussions about a rematch since then, but Nurmagomedov has largely remained adamant he has no interest in another meeting because of his disdain for the Irishman.
Abdelaziz said it's possible Gaethje could end up coaching for the show and eventually fighting McGregor if he beats Nurmagomedov.