As risky moves go, this is right up there.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC 205 win over Michael Johnson has elevated him to the promotion’s No.1 contender in the lightweight division.
He wants newly crowned champion Conor McGregor next and declared he would be happy to fight him in America, Russia, Ireland or wherever the hell he wants.
Nurmagomedov, who holds a 24-0 record in MMA, did not confine his trash talk to post-fight press briefings. He let UFC president Dana White know all about it during his Madison Square Garden bout.
While Joe Rogan suggested the UFC would love to square McGregor and Nurmagomedov off in Russia to crack a new market, Brendan Schaub wisely pointed out that it would take an awful lot of 000s on The Notorious’ bout agreement to come close.
The Dagestani fighter was upset that he was not allowed into the main post-fight presser at UFC 205 and he is already starting to fear for his chances against the lightweight champion. Chael Sonnen has suggested that Nurmagomedov may yet have to face-off against Tony Ferguson before he gets a shot at gold.
Nurmagomedov is not having it. In a move that hints at his desperation, he took to Twitter to go down the Jose Aldo negotiation route – Give me a title shot or I walk.
I want to fight for @ufc title for respect but if I don't get my title shot next I have different plan I won't be fighting in UFC @danawhite
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 16, 2016
Aldo backed down on his threat after a meeting with White and the UFC brass earlier this month.
Perhaps that is why Nurmagomedov appeared to back down from his initial threat when Schaub pointed it out.
UFC been very good to me this not a threat. I got into this sport for the belt nothing personal https://t.co/1WtGRGAU6o
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 17, 2016
Nurmagomedov is back, active again and banging every pot he can grab.
