NO PIERRE PRESSURE
Classy Georges St-Pierre reveals he ‘would never dare’ ask Khabib to make retirement U-turn to let him mourn for father
GEORGES ST-PIERRE has admitted he "would never dare"; ask Khabib to come out of retirement - to let him mourn for his father.
Russian Khabib, 32, hung up his gloves after quickly dispatching American Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last night.
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He had vowed to his mother he would retire if he took his unbeaten fight record to 29-0.
She had asked him to quit after the passing of his father Abdulmanap to Covid-19 earlier this year.
And St-Pierre, 39, showed his class by refusing to call out his rival for one final fight.
Khabib's decision to quit means a potential PPV record-breaking fight with Conor McGregor is off the table.
McGregor is now set to fight Gaethje in January, possibly in Ireland.
St-Pierre, one of the all-time great UFC fighters, had previously said only a fight with Khabib would interest him.
But after Khabib announced his retirement, Canadian legend St-Pierre told : "Maybe normally I would but because of the circumstance I would never dare to do that.
"I would not want to be in his shoes. He is having a tough time. He needs to mourn his father. Because I respect Khabib this goes beyond sport.
"I just wish his family the best. He made a promise. I am a fan of Khabib and I'm pleased with the way he ended his career.
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"I would have like to have organised a fight with him. But as a great what a great way to end a career and leave a perfect legacy to the world of sport."
Khabib beat American Gaethje with a second-round triangle choke hold at Fight Island last night.
He then revealed he had made a promise to his mother not to fight any more.
The Russian has revealed previously he has struggled with his mental health following the death of his father.
But he leaves a legacy - and having beaten McGregor in 2018 is arguably the greatest ever UFC fighter.
Khabib vs Gaethje: Round by Round - UFC Legend retires after destroying opponent
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