UFC legend Jon Jones has insisted that he would 'put his money' on Khabib Nurmagomedov to beat Conor McGregor in a blockbuster rematch.
McGregor, 32, made his sensational UFC return in January with a stunning first-round TKO victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
But the Irish superstar dropped his bombshell retirement announcement in June, despite voicing his desire to rematch Khabib and avenge his 2018 defeat.
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Jones, who secured a unanimous decision victory against Dominick Reyes in February, has also weighed in on the debate.
The 33-year-old light heavyweight champ would back Khabib in the rematch, saying that a wrestler has the "power to dictate" what direction the fight heads in.
'Bones' told TMZ: "I typically don't go against wrestlers if you're asking me as a betting man.
"Wrestlers have the power to dictate where the fight goes, whether it's going to be a standing match or whether he's going to take him to the ground and make it a jiu-jitsu match.
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"I think the cards are always in Khabib's hands.
"Conor definitely has a chance, but if I were to put my money on it, I'm definitely going with Khabib, for sure."
Khabib's coach, Javier Mendez, has also revealed that he believes McGregor is the toughest opponent for the UFC star out of the top lightweights.
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Khabib, 31, hasn't stepped inside the octagon since his successful lightweight title defence against Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 last September.
But the 'Eagle' is preparing to make his hotly anticipated return on 24th October against interim champ Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Khabib and McGregor have continued to trade blows on social media and there is no love lost between the pair.
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And the undefeated Russian star emphasised this last October when he suggested that he wouldn't shake his fierce rival's hand.
Featured Image Credit: PA/TMZTopics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Jon Jones, UFC 229, Notorious, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, eagle, MMA