Khabib Nurmagomedov intends to play hardball.
With his newfound mainstream popularity and several offers on the table from the contenders at 155lbs, Nurmagomedov is in a very favourable position.
While rankings dictate that other fighters might be more deserving of a lightweight title shot, the money that comes with any Conor McGregor match-up cannot be ignored and that’s why the idea of a rematch with the Irishman is being entertained by UFC matchmakers.
While both Nurmagomedov and McGregor await their punishments for their respective roles in the melee which followed their UFC 229 title fight, offers to run it back have apparently been made.
Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, has revealed that the UFC have come out with a significant effort to make the rematch between ‘The Notorious’ and ‘The Eagle’ a reality.
“They offered $15 million to rematch with Conor,” Abdulmanap told Sport 24’s Yaroslav Stepanov.
“But we want $30 million, guys. $30 million!”
Nurmagomedov remains the only UFC champion to hold an undefeated record and he is one of the biggest sports stars in Russia.
Logic would suggest that the streaking Tony Ferguson or Dustin Poirier have earned a shot at the AKA fighter and that’s exactly what Nurmagomedov’s dad has acknowledged although the fact cannot be ignored that the big money is to be made against McGregor.
“There are guys who deserve and wait for Khabib. We must respect them as fighters,” Abdulmanap added.
“This point should also be taken into account. Both the Dustin Poirier and [Tony] Ferguson. Ferguson, I think he deserves it.”
