Firas Zahabi Breaks Down Georges St Pierre vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
George St Pierre hasn’t fought since beating Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in November 2017. Despite this, rumours continue to swirl about his impending return to the sport. Many fans are still hoping to see the 38-year-old Canadian clash with Dagestani phenom Khabib Nurmagomedov. Long-time coach and friend of Firas Zahabi appears to be one of them. After confessing any breakdown, he would give of the fight would be bias, he proceeded to epically dissect the fight. Speaking on the FightTIPS Podcast, he said.
“I think Georges, just his kicking ability alone, Georges’ kicking ability alone would win him rounds. They’re both good jabbers, I think Khabib is a good jabber, but I think defensively Georges is far superior. Defensively. His boxing is longer and better, more precise. If you look at it statistically, I think Georges’ numbers are better. And he has a superior kicking ability.”
“Even if Khabib were to take Georges down, let’s give the best-case scenario,” Zahabi continued. “Georges is going to get back up. Personally, he’s going to get back up. Georges’ jiu-jitsu is impeccable. It’s not going to be like holding down anyone in the 155-pound division today. It’s another level.”
“Even if he gets him down – and I’m a mega Khabib fan, as a person and a fighter, huge fan – Georges’ ability to get up is incredible, and I’d be surprised if Khabib gets more than one takedown. It would shock me. It would surprise me. Georges is incredibly hard to take down. Look at his career, how many times has he been taken down? And how long did he stay down? It’s like a fraction of a second, he’s always up. He’s a difficult human being to keep down.”
The Tristar gym owner clearly has massive faith in his fighter in any potential fight with Nurmagomedov. He believes St Pierre will eventually want to come back but admitted the fight would have to be at 165lbs.
“I don’t want to speak for the guy. I don’t think he’s done,” he said. “I just think he’s so competitive that one day he’s going to see a guy that everyone thinks is unbeatable and then he’s going to want to come back. Khabib is one of those guys. But it’d have to be a 165-pound fight. Will the UFC do it, that’s the question.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)
Who wins if Georges St Pierre faces Khabib Nurmagomedov at 165lbs?
