Khabib's Manager Outlines What Conor McGregor Must Do To Earn A Rematch

Conor McGregor will NOT get a shot at fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov until he faces Justin Gaethje, according to the UFC champion's manager.

Nurmagomedov returns to action next month at UFC 249 when he defends his UFC lightweight title against No.1 contender Tony Ferguson.

McGregor is in line to face the winner but Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdelaziz insists the Irishman must beat Gaethje first before earning a rematch.

"If Khabib wins on April 18, Conor McGregor is not getting a title shot - simple," he told ESPN.

"Dana White is the best promoter of all time because he understands fighting and matchmaking. The only way Conor McGregor can fight for a title is if he beats someone like Justin Gaethje.

"if he were to do that, it would be hard to deny him."

Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018 and a rematch has been mooted with UFC president Dana White keen on booking them against each other this year.

However, top lightweight contender Gaethje wants a piece of McGregor.

"I think I put myself in a great position to fight for a world title, to try to be the best in the world," he explained.

"If Conor wants to go past me, he has to go through me.

"I think that's the only way to legitimise the process and make it right. I think that's the fight."

McGregor, meanwhile, took 15 months to return to the Octagon following his devastating submission defeat to Nurmagomedov.

He destroyed Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds at UFC 246 in January.