Conor McGregor will get his rematch with Khabib but it won’t be in Las Vegas (Image: GETTY)
That is according to one UFC expert who claims ‘money talks’ but admits there could be issues with the location.
Conor McGregor and Khabib went head-to-head for the UFC Lightweight title in Las Vegas this weekend.
Khabib won by submission in the fourth round after domination from the start to retain the title.
But the Russian sparked shocking scenes afterwards by jumping out of the octagon and attacking McGregor’s team.
The Irishman was then attacked himself by more of Khabib’s team while still recovering in the octagon.
Dana White refused to give Khabib his belt while still in arena, and the Nevada Athletic Commission have held onto his purse until the end of the investigations.
Khabib could be stripped of his title and is likely to be fined for the events.
But UFC expert Nick Peet thinks there will be a rematch, although it is unlikely to be in Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor was chocked out in the fourth round (Image: REUTERS)
Conor McGregor lost in the fourth round against Khabib Nurmagomedov in Las Vegas (Image: GETTY)
“Money talks in this game, it will happen,” said Peet on the MMA Show.
“It will happen in America. Maybe not Las Vegas, but I’m sure New York would take it hands down.
“Controversy in fight sports goes hand in hand and has done for generations and we will get the rematch, eventually.
“But right now, looking at the fight alone – not the aftermath, the fight – it’s hard to see Conor McGregor beating Khabib.”
And Peet thinks Khabib may be banned for the foreseeable meaning McGregor has to fight someone else first – with Tony Ferguson among the most likely as the new No 1 contender in the division.
“There’s members of Khabib’s team there that will never, ever be allowed anywhere near the UFC octagon again,” Peet added.
“Hopefully, we’ll see him compete inside the UFC again. I think we will – but I don’t think it will be any time soon.
“Conor’s going to have to go through at least one other person before he gets the rematch against Khabib.”
McGregor was making his return to mixed martial arts after a two-year hiatus in an event which was billed as the biggest in the UFC’s history.
The duo’s camps clashed in Brooklyn in April in an incident which saw McGregor throw a dolly at the window of a bus containing several rival fighters, including Khabib.
Conor McGregor watched on as Khabib jumped the octagon (Image: GETTY)
The Russian retained his lightweight title with a career-best performance at T-Mobile Arena, but soured his night with his actions afterwards.
UFC president Dana White said afterwards: “I’ve been doing this for 18 years and I couldn’t be more disappointed.”
Khabib did express regret at what had unfolded but showed his disdain for McGregor’s behaviour leading up to the fight.
He said: “First of all I want to say sorry to Nevada Athletic Commission and second to Vegas. I know this is not my best side. I’m a human being.
“But I don’t understand how people can talk about how I jump on the cage. He talked about my religion, he talked about my country, he talked about my father.
“He came to Brooklyn and he broke a bus, he almost killed a couple of people. What about this s***? Why do people talk about me jumping over the cage? I don’t understand.
Conor McGregor lost on his return to the UFC as Khabib retained his title (Image: GETTY)
“This is a respectful sport, not a trash-talking sport. I want to change the game, you cannot talk about religion, about nationality.”
McGregor has not spoken publicly about the incident but has expressed his desire on social media for a rematch with Khabib, who now holds a perfect 27-0 record in his MMA career.
After saying he was “looking forward to the rematch” in a tweet on Sunday, the Irishman posted on Instagram the following day: “We lost the match but won the battle. The war goes on.”
The post was accompanied by a picture of McGregor sporting a black eye but looking relaxed holding a drink.