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    Dustin Poirier open to boxing match with Conor McGregor as bitter rival ramps up training for summer UFC return

    DUSTIN POIRIER has revealed he’s open to having a fourth fight with Conor McGregor – inside the boxing ring.Poirier, 32, has shared the octagon three times with the UFC’s poster boy and is currently 2-1 up in their series.
    Dustin Poirier has locked horns with UFC poster boy Conor McGregor three timesCredit: GETTY
    And The Diamond is open to facingCredit: GETTY
    The Diamond revealed he’d be open to boxing McGregor on TwitterCredit: TWITTER
    The former interim lightweight champion has flirted with the prospect of a fourth fight with The Notorious and admits he’d also be willing to face his rival inside the squared circle.
    When asked about the prospect of boxing McGregor during an impromptu Twitter Q&A, Poirier replied: “Book it.”
    MMA fans were quick to comment on Poirier’s willingness to box the former two-division champion, with one saying: “I’d rather see the 4th fight than a boxing bout.”
    Another said: “Nah bro, we need a quadrilogy in the cage!”
    And another said: “That would actually be a really good fight to see.”
    One remarked: “Dustin has Conor’s number, east money for Dustin.”
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    Former featherweight rivals Poirier and McGregor locked horns with one another twice in 2021, with the former coming out victorious on both occasions.
    The Diamond knocked out McGregor in the second round of their Abu Dhabi rematch last January before registering a first-round TKO victory in their Las Vegas trilogy fight six months later.
    McGregor, 33, suffered a horrific broken leg in their Sin City series decider, which he’s still on the sidelines recovering from.
    The Irishman has been hard at work in the gym and in rehab over the last few months and is eyeing an April return to sparring.
    And UFC supremo Dana White reckons Mystic Mac could be set to make a summer return to the cage.
    When asked about McGregor competing this year, White told TMZ: “I think so, yeah.
    “He’s doing all the right things with his leg. I’m hoping he can come back this summer.”
    When pressed about Nate Diaz potentially welcoming McGregor back to action, he told ESPN:: “It could be [next].
    Conor McGregor is eyeing a summer return to the octagonCredit: SPORTSFILE
    “I think Conor will be back in summer. But I don’t know for sure. It depends on how his leg heals.
    “There are a million things that could happen between now and then. To even speculate is stupid. I’ve stopped doing that.
    “When McGregor contacts me and tells me he’s ready to start training 100 per cent, then we’ll start talking about what’s possible for Conor.”
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    Jake Paul ‘would love’ to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva and reveals he got an autograph from his ‘idol’ aged 12

    JAKE PAUL ‘would love’ to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva and revealed he got an autograph from his ‘idol’ aged 12. Silva has been touted as a potential next boxing opponent for the YouTuber-turned prizefighter, who has already beaten two ex-UFC stars in his 5-0 career.
    Jake Paul ‘would love’ to fight UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Anderson Silva has been touted as a potential next opponent for Jake PaulCredit: Getty
    And Paul himself is on board while opening up about the first time he met the the Brazilian icon.
    He told MMA Fighting: “Yes, definitely, I would love that fight. Interesting story, I think he was the first celebrity I ever saw.
    “Right when MMA was blowing up, my dad was a super big fan and we went to this local MMA event and they must have paid Anderson Silva to come because it was in Ohio so I don’t know why he would have been there.
    “But I actually asked for his autograph and we took a picture with him. I’m maybe like 12 years old but I think he was the first celebrity that I met.
    “So it would be fun to bring it back full circle and fight someone who was one of my first idols.”
    Silva, 46, left the UFC in 2020 following three straight losses and chose to instead pursue boxing, having already had a 1-1 record in the ring.
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    And he then scored a massive upset over ex-world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, on points last June.
    Silva most recently knocked out former UFC champ Tito Ortiz, 47, in a boxing exhibition in September.
    The veteran South American would actually be Paul’s first opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
    In his first three fights, he knocked out online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
    Then he was taken the distance for the first time, beating ex-UFC titleist Tyron Woodley, 39, over the eight-round distance.
    Paul signed to fight Tommy Fury, 22, which would have been the first recognised boxer on his record.
    Yes, definitely, I would love that fight. Interesting story, I think he was the first celebrity I ever saw. Jake Paul on Anderson Silva
    But Fury pulled out with a broken rib and chest infection, leaving Woodley to fill in on late notice, only to be KO’d in round six of their rematch.
    Despite the criticism of his opposition, Paul named only Chavez Jr as a pay-per-view worthy opponent he could fight.
    He said: “There’s really no boxers who have a big enough name to make it an interesting enough event that are really near my weight class or experience level.
    “It would basically be like fighting for the world title would be the only fight that would sell and I don’t even know who the cruiserweight champion is.
    “I think Canelo was supposed to fight him but it just doesn’t make any sense.
    “It’s my sixth fight and this guy’s a world champion. So nobody really has a big enough name in the boxing world than maybe Chavez Jr.”
    Julio Cesar Chavez Jr was beaten by Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty More

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    UFC legend Joe Rogan wants Francis Ngannou to fight boxing champ Tyson Fury and earn ‘giant chunk of money’

    LEGENDARY UFC commentator Joe Rogan has expressed his desire to see MMA star Francis Ngannou face boxing champion Tyson Fury.The pair have been linked with a blockbuster bout, with the Gypsy King urging the Predator to meet him inside the squared circle for a huge payday.
    Joe Rogan wants to see UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou face WBC king Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
    The Gypsy King has made no secret of his desire to pit his wits against the MMA ace in the futureCredit: Getty
    Fury had previously stated he would face the Cameroonian heavyweight champion in a boxing match, but with UFC gloves.
    And Rogan has agreed with Fury that Ngannou would earn serious cash, as he stated he wants to see the 35-year-old take home a ‘giant chunk of money’.
    Speaking on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he compared the potential dust-up to when Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in August 2017.
    Rogan said: “I want to see him box because I want to see him get a giant chunk of money – like, Conor McGregor-style, Floyd Mayweather chunk of money.
    “Because when Conor fought Floyd Mayweather, he made $100million [£74m]. I think that’s nice. I’d love to see that.
    “If (Ngannou) fought Tyson Fury, how much money would they be able to make?”
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    Commenting on what Fury and Ngannou could pocket, Rogan remarked: “I don’t know. It’s off the pay-per-view.
    “It’s off what they could sell. Obviously, it would have to be very marketable. Tyson Fury is very marketable.
    “Francis Ngannou is very marketable, especially as a UFC heavyweight champion going up to fight in boxing.
    “It would be weird to see Tyson Fury like a legit five inches taller than Francis Ngannou.
    “Oh yeah, Tyson Fury is 6-(foot)-9. I think Francis is 6-(foot)-4 or 6-(foot)-5. I’m not sure.”
    Fury was recently urged by UFC middleweight Sean Strickland to ‘man the f*** up’ and face Ngannou in 4oz gloves.
    He told Helen Yee Sports: “At the end of the day, we’re MMA fighters. Not boxers – there’s a clear difference. I think Tyson Fury should man the f*** up, he should man up.
    “He’s a ‘Gypsy King’, he likes to do bare-knuckle, he should change the rules, do four-ounce gloves, close to bare-knuckle – be a man to your lineage.
    “Because that’s what you say you are, show it to the world with Francis and then he can make the ‘go f*** yourself’ money, everybody is going to be happy.
    “But I think if that’s the case, Francis has a legitimate shot at knocking out ‘The Gypsy King’.” More

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    ‘Anybody can box’ – Khabib admits Jake Paul ‘knows how to punch’ with UFC legend ready to offer YouTuber MMA contract

    KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV admitted Jake Paul ‘knows how to punch’ and is ready to offer the YouTube star a MMA contract. The American is 5-0 as a boxer but has teased a switch to the cage lately and even called out Khabib.
    Khabib admitted Jake Paul ‘knows how to punch’Credit: Getty
    Jake Paul has been offered an MMA switch by KhabibCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    UFC legend Nurmagomedov instead wants to welcome Paul over to his Eagle Fighting Championship promotion.
    He said on Nelk Boys’ podcast: “In boxing, he knows how to punch. He’s not bad in the boxing game. Anybody can box.
    “You can box, too, but you never can wrestle. This is completely different. If he wants, we can give him a chance.
    “We can sign him, and we can pay him, and we’ll see.”
    Paul, 25, most recently knocked out Tyron Woodley, 39, in their short-notice rematch, after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out with a broken rib.
    Woodley took the fight only four months after losing on points, meaning Paul has KO’d every opponent he has shared the ring with.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    It followed from prior KO’s over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
    But Fury’s withdrawal also means Paul is still yet to face an opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
    Despite the criticism of his opposition, the internet personality has continued to call out MMA fighters, including Khabib.
    But Paul wants to fight the unbeaten Russian, 33, in MMA and demanded a £26million purse to do so.
    Though Khabib, who announced a shock retirement in October 2020, laughed off the callout.
    He said: “Come on, Jake Paul. I don’t think so. In MMA, like couple of minutes. He’s late a little bit because I’m finished.
    “Of course, we can think about this. I watched — it was sparring, or I watched some video where he’s doing, like, MMA with someone. He has to learn a lot.”
    Khabib owns Eagle Fighting ChampionshipCredit: Alamy More

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    ‘Close to bare-knuckle’ – Tyson Fury urged to ‘man the f*** up’ and fight Francis Ngannou in 4oz UFC gloves

    TYSON FURY has been urged to ‘man the f*** up’ and fight Francis Ngannou in 4oz UFC gloves. The boxing and MMA champions have been feuding online recently amid talk of a crossover fight.
    Tyson Fury has been urged to ‘man the f*** up’ and fight Francis Ngannou in 4oz UFC glovesCredit: Getty
    Francis Ngannou has feuded with Tyson Fury onlineCredit: Getty
    But UFC middleweight Sean Strickland wants to see the Gypsy King honour his bare-knuckle roots and face Ngannou in thinner UFC gloves.
    Strickland, 30, told Helen Yee Sports: “At the end of the day, we’re MMA fighters. Not boxers – there’s a clear difference.
    “I think Tyson Fury should man the f*** up, he should man up.
    “He’s a ‘Gypsy King’, he likes to do bare-knuckle, he should change the rules, do four-ounce gloves, close to bare-knuckle – be a man to your lineage.
    “Because that’s what you say you are, show it to the world with Francis and then he can make the ‘go f*** yourself’ money, everybody is going to be happy.
    “But I think if that’s the case, Francis has a legitimate shot at knocking out ‘The Gypsy King’.”
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    Fury, 33, has himself teased a boxing match with UFC gloves in the past and called for a ‘clash of the heavyweight titans’.
    Ngannou, 35, currently has no fights left on his UFC deal but as champion has a clause that keeps him contracted for another year.
    Should he refuse to return to the octagon, his dream boxing move is just 12 months away.
    Ngannou has previously called for a pay rise and stipulation which would allow him to box at the same time.
    The Cameroonian is now set to undergo surgery on his knee after suffering a torn MCL and damaged ACL in his recent win over Ciryl Gane, 31.
    Francis Ngannou has no fights left on his UFC contractCredit: AFP More

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    Eddie Hearn says Jake Paul is ‘good for boxing’ but ‘a DISASTER for the UFC’ amid YouTuber’s feud with Dana White

    EDDIE HEARN said Jake Paul is ‘good for boxing’ but ‘a DISASTER for the UFC’ amid his ongoing feud with Dana White. Hearn promoted Paul’s first professional fight, in 2020 with a win over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’.
    Eddie Hearn pictured with Jake PaulCredit: Rex
    He has since improved to 5-0, headlining pay-per-views and even becoming a boxing manager.
    The YouTuber-turned prizefighting star is now promoting Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor’s women’s super-fight alongside Hearn.
    And the British matchmaker admitted Paul’s impact on the sport is only positive, despite his mass detractors.
    Hearn said on The MMA Hour: “I think fighters, because of what they’ve sacrificed, sometimes hold it against Jake Paul and say, ‘Well, I’ve been grinding in the gym for 15 years!’
    “Yeah, but you’re not good enough and you haven’t built the profile that he’s built.
    “Why shouldn’t he be allowed to do that? He’s put in the work in the gym. He’s fallen in love with the sport, genuinely, and I think he’s good for boxing.
    “I think he brings a different kind of audience.”
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    Two of Paul’s four knockouts came against former UFC pair Ben Askren, 37, and ex-champion Tyron Woodley, 39.
    And the American celebrity has since been embroiled in an online rivalry with UFC president White.
    Paul has constantly accused the MMA promoter of underpaying his fighters and even released a diss track to hit out at the UFC.
    Hearn said: “There will be more pressure on the organisation as time goes by, especially with the voice and noise of someone like Jake Paul.
    “Jake Paul’s a disaster for those guys. [He is sincere], but also I think he’s got a bee in his bonnet and he’s having fun with it, and I think he’s on a mission.
    “But do I think he feels that UFC fighters are underpaid? Yeah, for sure.”
    Dana White has feuded with Jake Paul onlineCredit: Sportsfile More

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    ‘It was just like sparring’ – UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov slams Conor McGregor’s ‘fake fight’ with Floyd Mayweather

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has branded Conor McGregor’s boxing match with Floyd Mayweather a ‘fake fight’.MMA mogul McGregor entered the boxing world in August 2017 for a multi-million-pound showdown with the former five-weight world champion, which was aptly dubbed ‘The Money Fight’.
    Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in August 2017 to take on Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
    But the UFC’s poster boy suffered a tenth-round TKO defeat to MoneyCredit: GETTY
    And the Irishman’s bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov has dubbed the bout a ‘fake fight’Credit: ALAMY
    The UFC’s poster boy suffered a tenth-round TKO defeat to Money who many, including Nurmagomedov, believes carried The Notorious.
    During an appearance on The Nelk Boys’ Full Send podcast, he said: “It was just like [a] sparring fight.
    “And for me, it was not real fight because this guy [is] not a real boxer, and Mayweather what he did, for me it was more like a fake fight.
    “This is just my opinion. Maybe, maybe not… Then, what was between us, it was real.
    “Everything that happened before the fight, inside the fight, after the fight.”
    Three months after his retirement fight, Mayweather claimed he took it easy on McGregor to make the fight ‘look good’ for fans.
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    The 44-year-old star told Fight Hype: “Everybody tried to protest the Mayweather-McGregor fight, right?
    “But I’m gonna tell y’all the truth, I’m gonna tell y’all the truth: You know I carried McGregor. You know I made it look good for y’all.”
    Nurmagomedov, who retired from MMA in October 2020, was offered a staggering NINE-FIGURE payday to share the ring with Hall-of-Famer Mayweather.
    But the Dagestani wrecking machine rejected the mega-money offer, with his manager Ali Abdelaziz telling TMZ: “Listen, we got offered $100million to fight Floyd Mayweather.
    “Dana White was on board, everybody was on board. But, you know, Khabib is an MMA fighter.
    “If Floyd wanted to come to fight, get his little ass whooped, no problem.”
    Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down a whopping $100million showdown with Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
    Nurmagomedov confirmed the offers ahead of his retirement fight, saying: “Always, like every month people call me and they ask me, ‘You going to fight with Floyd Mayweather if we pay you $100m?’
    “It’s like crazy. I want to be focused on Justin Gaethje, please.
    “Every month, some people from Saudi Arabia, from Emirates, from a lot of countries, like always try to make contract with me.”
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    UFC legend Khabib names his five favourites to win Champions League but snubs holders Chelsea

    FOOTIE-mad UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has named his favourites for this year’s Champions League – but he’s snubbed current trophy holders Chelsea.The retired MMA fighter turned promoter is an avid fan of the beautiful game and does his utmost to attend big matches when he can.
    UFC legend Khabib has named his five contenders to win this year’s Champions LeagueCredit: INSTAGRAM
    But the Russian has snubbed current holder ChelseaCredit: GETTY
    The topic of who would win this year’s Champions League was put to the Russian last Friday after Eagle FC’s inaugural American event in Miami.
    And the self-confessed Real Madrid fan tipped some familiars clubs to be in contention to win Europe’s elite club competition at the end of the season.
    Nurmagomedov, 33, told the assembled media: “There are several teams.
    “It happens that some people start the season weakly, but then gain momentum, it happens the other way around.
    “I don’t know how it will be. But if I had to choose, I would list Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid as my favorites.
    “And, of course, you should never forget about Bayern. Here are the five commands.
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    “Now PSG will play with Real Madrid. It’s very difficult to choose.”
    Last May, Nurmagomedov revealed his encyclopedic knowledge of Europe’s premier club competition by correctly naming the winners of the tournament for the last 16 years.
    He told UFC flyweight and AKA team-mate Manel Kape: “2005, Liverpool. 2006, Barcelona. 2007, Milan.”
    When Kape tried to interrupt him, Nurmagomedov said: No “listen, brother. 2008, Manchester United. 2009, Barcelona.
    “2010, Inter. 2011, Barcelona, 2012, Chelsea. 2013, Bayern Munich. 2014, Real Madrid. 2015, Barcelona.
    “2016, 2017, 2018, Real [Madrid]. 2019, Liverpool. 2020, Bayern Munich.”
    After Kape told coach Javier Mendez that the former UFC lightweight champion only knew about ‘results’, Nurmagomedov said: “No, no, no if you don’t know nothing about football you don’t know how to play.
    Retired MMA star Khabib has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern-day Champions League historyCredit: GETTY
    “You have to understand the game.
    “Please Manel. Please. Coach, listen, if you don’t know nothing about the sport, how do you know how to play the sport? How? This is impossible.”
    The knockout stages of the Champions League will get underway a week on Tuesday, with PSG and Sporting Lisbon facing Real Madrid and Manchester City in the first leg of their respective last-16 ties.
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