When the business is fighting the world’s most dangerous humans in an uncompromising cage, it’s perhaps slightly more acceptable to speak to your employer with such disdain.
In any other industry, Khabib Nurmagomedov would be facing the sack but, hey, it’s the fight game.
Nurmagomedov has become increasingly vocal as he looks to get his next fight booked.
The most logical next bout for the undefeated Russian was against Tony Ferguson, given both men’s stellar win streaks in the UFC’s lightweight division.
A title shot for either man wouldn’t have been disputed but with the champion, Conor McGregor, taking an extended break from the Octagon, it made sense to set up a title eliminator between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson.
But the booking of that fight was dealt a blow by UFC president Dana White as he revealed that Ferguson’s insistence on being paid the same as Nurmagomedov for the bout was the reason that it had not been given the go-ahead.
With McGregor unavailable and Ferguson seemingly playing hardball, suggestions were made that an interim lightweight title fight with UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo was in the works for Nurmagomedov but, again, White announced that fight would not be happening.
Nurmagomedov is not happy that he doesn’t have an opponent lined up and he took to Instagram on Thursday night to accuse the UFC of lying to fight fans by claiming that he doesn’t want to fight Aldo.
“This message (is) to the UFC,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “It is clear to everyone that you (are) hiding Conor from me. But stop lying to your fans like I don’t want fight with Aldo, I’m ready to fight with anyone in my division.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOnVl_aj2Y1/
“Give me relevant fight, so you won’t be able to hide the belt from me after. But not the fight, where people say after my victory that he is too small, Khabib too big for him etc.
“I’m asking you for match that whole world is waiting for, give me Tony.
“You have never matched up two guys with 9 and 8 win streak in UFC, NEVER IN UFC HISTORY. #telltruthtopeople”
Well if loads of block capitals and hashtags don’t make the point then nothing will…
