Despite adding several current and former champions to the card, many are still upset at the quality of UFC 300 but that could all be about to change with Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s potential return.
Rumors are suggesting that Leon Edwards is set to put his belt on the line against rightful contender Belal Muhammad, but those plans may have now changed. The Brit is looking to make his third defense of the title when he steps into the octagon next time out.
Amid the speculation of UFC 300 and who is set to headline the huge event, Chael Sonnen believes he has pieced the answer together. Khabib Nurmagomedov could be on his way back to the octagon after recent comments from his coach surfaced.
“Coach Javier Mendez, owner and leader of the American Kickboxing Academy, came out in an interview and said that Khabib is back training with me.”
“He said, ‘Khabib always goes to practice, but he only trains with me when he’s getting ready for a fight.’ And that is all I know.”
Sonnen then questioned why Khabib could have possibly returned to training with his former coach, insisting UFC 300 could be a major reason.
“There is some reason that Leon versus Belal did not get made. It was expected and it was planned,” claimed Sonnen. “Something became available.”
“This is nothing more than a rumor but it’s a rumor that came from coach Mendez who’s training him. Who says, ‘I don’t train him unless it’s for a fight.’ It’s fascinating.”
“You know he’s not going to come back at 55 [lightweight], and the very first association went, of course, to Canada. Of course, it went to Georges St-Pierre. And that sure would be a super-fight, but how do you put on top of the bill a non-title when it’s your biggest bill that you’ve ever booked? It’s an interesting situation.”
Related: Dana White announces historic title fight for UFC 300
“There is a reason that Belal and Leon isn’t booked and that might come around, but if that comes around that’s because the reason I speak of fell out.”
“But there is a reason. Khabib is training for a reason. Khabib is not fighting at 155 pounds ever again and Dana’s not putting on UFC 300 without a title on top of the bill.”
With many significant names being either booked or unavailable for the date, a Khabib Nurmagomedov headliner could be exactly what UFC 300 is looking for.
Check out Chael Sonnen’s theory in the video below.