The majority of UFC fans want to see a blockbuster rematch between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor - but many are not so eager.
SPORTbible ran a poll on Twitter that asked fans if they wanted Nurmagomedov and McGregor to renew hostilities in a rematch following their epic clash last October, with 60% voting YES. 40% voted NO with many fans having reservations about a second meeting.
Social media had mixed reactions to the idea of a rematch.
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"He got destroyed, why on earth watch a one sided fight again," one Twitter user wrote.
A second Tweeted: "Why should Conor walk straight back into a mega fight with Khabib when other fighters have been grafting to claw their way to the top."
A third added: "People just want drama, Conor has no merit for a rematch with Khabib. Khabib is more interested in legacy than Conor."
Another said: "Yeah but he has to earn it first" while a different Twitter user said: "Yeah just to see him get battered again."
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This weekend in Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov makes his anticipated return to the UFC when he defends his title against Dustin Poirier.
But much of the talk has been about a potential rematch with McGregor, who remains synonymous with the undefeated Russian fighter.
However, both fighters harbour different ambitions regarding a potential rematch.
Khabib Nurmagomedov On Rematch
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"This guy [McGregor] have to come back and make nine or ten-fight win streak. Then we gonna fight.
"Maybe people who watch this interview, they think, 'Oh, he think about this, but when UFC ask this guy to fight Conor for millions of dollars, this guy is gonna take it'. No. Fight. Come back and show who are you.
"We talk with Dana sometimes, he's a good guy, but don't talk with me about this crazy fight. I want to fight real guys - Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, maybe if one of the greatest athletes ever, Georges St-Pierre, wants to fight. I want to fight those guys. I don't want to fight with a guy who never wins."
Conor McGregor On Rematch
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"In my return fight, I want my world title back. I want that redemption. The camp was incorrect. Knowing the commitment that I had in that camp. Knowing the performance that I put on.
"You must understand my foot was a balloon when I walked into that fight. I've got all this footage backed up from that entire camp. I broke my foot three weeks out from that fight. My foot was a balloon.
"I dove in on one foot. My foot was a balloon. My toes came out of the socket and a guy had to come into the cage and break them back into place, the thing ballooned out and I hobbled in there and walked him down and did not give two shits. That was with a bad camp. That was with a half-committed camp."
Will UFC Book A Rematch? Who's Next For McGregor?
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So, Nurmagomedov's reluctant to rematch McGregor who's desperate to run it back, while the UFC would likely push for a second meeting considering the sheer success of their first fight, which generated a record 2.4 million pay-per-view buys.
They have one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history, and it still hasn't fully played out. Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor II promotes itself.
Does McGregor, though, deserve another crack at Nurmagomedov? Well, the first fight wasn't exactly competitive and there are plenty of other options for the Irishman.
From another potential rematch with Jose Aldo to a trilogy bout against Nate Diaz - which is the fight to make.
Who's Next In Line For A Title Shot?
Tony Ferguson is next in line for a title shot. He deserves a shot at lightweight gold following his incredible run of form. He's currently riding an impressive 12-fight win streak, which includes victories over Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone, among others.
He's been matched up with Nurmagomedov FIVE times, but for one reason or another, they've yet to square off inside the Octagon.
Stylistically, it's a fascinating match-up and a fight plenty of fans are craving to see.
Do you want to see a rematch between Nurmagomedov and McGregor?
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, UFC 242, UFC News, Fight News, UFC, MMA
