'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Khabib Nurmagomedov seemingly played matchmaker for Alexandre Pantoja's next matchup. The retired MMA great suggested the name of a former UFC champion as Pantoja's possible opponent.
Former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov is counted among the greatest MMA fighters ever. He retired from the sport in October 2020. On the other hand, Pantoja is the reigning UFC flyweight champion.
Well, Nurmagomedov recently pitched former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo as a possible opponent for Pantoja. Echoing the sentiments of many in the MMA community, Nurmagomedov suggested that Pantoja has beaten almost every elite fighter in his division and only the Cejudo matchup currently makes the most sense for him.
Trending
On the Pound 4 Pound podcast channel hosted by Cejudo and ex-UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, Nurmagomedov affirmed:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"There is no other option for Pantoja. There is no other fight ... I think if they want some big fight for this weight class, they have to make this -- Cejudo-Pantoja."
Nurmagomedov further highlighted that older fighters need to retire. 'The Eagle' stated:
"Like, if I talk about yourself, I mean, I think you old, you old for this sport. But, if I'm promoter like [UFC CEO and president] Dana [White], I try to make Pantoja fight with you because there is nobody else. There is nobody else. Cejudo versus Pantoja is going to be big name. They just bring somebody old with big name. Make them fight."
Khabib Nurmagomedov then asserted that beating a legend in Cejudo will elevate Alexandre Pantoja's status. While Nurmagomedov implied that the 37-year-old Cejudo was likely past his athletic prime, he made an allusion to his Olympic background and opined that he can't be underestimated.
Nurmagomedov added that when complemented with a bit of discipline the aforementioned experience could set Cejudo a class apart from most other athletes.
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov discuss the topic below (0:19 and 12:20):
Khabib Nurmagomedov hints at potential path for Henry Cejudo to UFC flyweight title fight with Alexandre Pantoja
Henry Cejudo is currently on a two-fight losing streak, having been outpointed by Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili in bantamweight bouts. 'Triple C' has since signaled that he'd like to drop down to flyweight again and try to reclaim the title that's currently held by Alexandre Pantoja.
During their conversation, Khabib Nurmagomedov notably outlined a possible path Henry Cejudo could take to reach a potential title showdown against Pantoja. The Dagestani combatant seemed to suggest that Cejudo, who's competed just twice since coming out of retirement, first needs to get his body accustomed to full-time competition again.
Nurmagomedov, who's lately been busy helping his teammates prepare for their fights, advised Cejudo to compete at bantamweight, then refrain from taking a long break. He underscored that 'Triple C' ought to stay disciplined and could drop down to flyweight and pursue that belt:
"You fight February. Okay, March, take off. And jump April, training camp. And fight June, July, in International Fight Week. And fight for the 125, for the title ... I'm gonna talk with Dana too." [14:55-minute mark of the aforementioned video]
