Former two division UFC champion Conor McGregor and UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov are expected to clash later this year.
The Irishman has provided an update on the potential fight and McGregor says its close to being a done deal.
“It’s very close, it’s not official, but we’re close,” McGregor said to TMZ Sports. “I believe so. I hope so. I’m pushing for it.”
If the bout does come together, it would mark the first time McGregor has competed in the Octagon since defeating Eddie Alvarez to win the UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 205.
McGregor would like to see the bout happen in Madison Square Garden, but the former champion believes it will happen elsewhere.
“We will see what happens,” McGregor said. “I’d love to fight in The Garden, but I believe this one is in Las Vegas.”
Nurmagomedov’s agent in Ali Abdelaziz recently stated that his client wouldn’t fight McGregor for less than what Nate Diaz made for two bouts with McGregor at UFC 196 and UFC 202. Diaz made a grand total of $2,500,000 for both encounters, with $2 million of that money being made at UFC 202.
There are four pay-per-view events left in 2018 without a main event yet (UFC 229 – UFC 232), so there are plenty of opportunities for the two to battle this year.
