Khabib eyeing St-Pierre showdown after Gaethje bout: I'm done with McGregor

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said he only wants to face Georges St-Pierre after his showdown against Justin Gaethje.

Unbeaten Russian star Khabib (28-0) will step into the octagon with interim champion Gaethje (22-2) at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Leading into the fight, St-Pierre has talked up a possible blockbuster bout against Khabib if he decided to return to the sport.

Former welterweight and middleweight champion St-Pierre – regarded as one of the all-time greats – has not fought since his win over Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in 2017.

Preparing to defend his perfect UFC record, Khabib was asked about the 39-year-old and he told ESPN: "I really become excited when I think about Georges St-Pierre.

"I don't know if he wants to fight with me or not, can he make weight -- 155 or not -- but this fight makes me excited, honestly.

"And I think me vs. Georges is going to be very, very big fight. Like big fight for fans, big fight for pay-per-view, big fight for analytics, for everybody.

"This is only fight in UFC, after Gaethje, that makes me very excited."

Khabib dismissed the possibility of facing Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier following his Gaethje meeting.

There has been speculation Khabib – who beat Poirier in 2019 after submitting McGregor in 2018 – could go head-to-head with the winner of the January 23 clash.

"I finished both of them, and finished in dominant position, a dominant performance," Khabib said. "And I'm not interested in both of those guys, because I need something new. I need new blood, new energy.

"Justin Gaethje gives me new motivation. He's the real deal. Right now, he's interim champ, he's very tough guy.

"If I think about both, Dustin and Conor, they don't give me good energy, they don't give me motivation. Fight for what? For my legacy? I already put these guys on my list. I already beat them. Everything is finished with these guys."