Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Tony Ferguson is close to getting announced as the co main event of UFC 209, in March.
After weeks of bartering, jibes and one offer of an extra $200,000 for Ferguson to sign his damn contract, both men appear to be on a collision course.
USADA Showed Up & I Responded. See You March 4 @TeamKhabib & We Will Settle This Once & For All Inside a The Octagon At #UFC209 pic.twitter.com/Opu4rsgMAW
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) January 10, 2017
All that remains to be seen is whether or not the UFC will take the somewhat needless step of making the bout for an interim lightweight belt. Considering that McGregor won the 155lbs strap, outright, in November 2015, it would be an odd move.
Should Nurmagomedov extend his perfect MMA fighting record to 25-0, his cause will be undeniable. His will be the name most true fight fans will want McGregor to fight upon his return.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has already raised the possibility of McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov going down in Russia later this year.
Back in December, Rogan declared:
“Listen to what I’m saying to you right now. The UFC is about to go to Russia. They’re going to do it. UFC in Russia: Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov. That’s what I think is coming. GIANT! GIANT!”
UFC president Dana White and chief executive Ari Emanuel did indeed travel to Russia late last year and spoke with officials about all the necessary junctures they would need to navigate to put on a massive pay-per-view event.
In the most recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the host returned to the prospect of McGregor fighting in Russia. He said:
“McGregor versus Jose Aldo is obviously not as big a fight as if he were to fight Nurmagomedov in Russia and it was for the 155 pound title.
“If Nurmagomedov fights in Russia, they may have to build a new soccer stadium in Russia. I don’t think people understand [his popularity].”
Rogan does believe McGregor has one massive weapon in his arsenal to threaten the undefeated Dagestani.
“If Conor catches you like that, you might be fucking Donesville,” he declared. “He might drop some hammers on you and that’ll be the end of you.”
https://youtu.be/cuzAII2c7Eg
Rogan is a man in the know and has predicted some of the biggest fights in recent years, such as McGregor’s lightweight title fight against Eddie Alvarez. He may be putting 2 + 2 together here but a Nurmagomedov win at UFC 209 will put him directly in McGregor’s path.
