Khabib Nuramgomedov will be taking part in next month’s historic UFC 205 event in a lightweight division bout with Michael Johnson, but that is not the opponent he wants to be fighting.
Nuramgomedov wants to be fighting for the UFC Lightweight Title, currently held by Eddie Alvarez and if he is not offered a title shot after UFC 205, he will be leaving the UFC.
Nuramgomedov recently appeared on The Luke Thomas Show, where he talked about leaving the UFC if a lightweight title shot is not offered or given to him.
"I'm a little bit upset because I already had two contracts to fight for the title at 205 and UFC 206. I signed both of them and after that the UFC makes this bullshit decision. I'm a little bit upset but it's okay. Sometimes shit happens, you know...After this fight I have to fight for the title. UFC thinks Conor has power? Irish people only like 6 million people. I am from Russia. 150 million people. If UFC don't give me the title fight after this fight, I'm going to show how I have power in Russia. I know if I don't fight for the title next fight, UFC will never, ever go to Russia” said Nurmagomedov.
Khabib even took the opportunity to talk about the madness involving two potential fights with Alvarez, neither of which are happening at this moment in time.
"UFC said 'you're going to fight 27, August in Canada against Eddie.' I said ‘yes, I take this fight,' but Eddie does not take this fight. After this UFC gives me UFC 205, Eddie say no. After UFC gave me 206, Eddie say no. And now these guys make this bullshit fight...Eddie understands who is who. Eddie and Eddie's coaches, everybody know 'this a very tough fight for me.' That's why he don't take this fight. He even said 'I want an easy fight'. You're champion. UFC champion. You're supposed to fight number one ranked, and number one ranked is not easy. For me, it's a crazy situation. But it's ok. Life is going and I'm going to keep going and I'm going to finish Michael Johnson at UFC 205 and after this I want to fight for the title” Nurmagomedov states.
Nurmagomedov also states that of the UFC does not reward him with a title shot and he does in fact, leave the promotion, he will prevent the UFC from coming to Russia.
"I'd rather take this fight [with Johnson] because [Alvarez] signed with the UFC bullshit contract because he understands if he takes fight with me, his belt is going bye-bye. That's why both of them take this fight. And Dana a little bit played games and used my name. I never forget this. If I don't fight, I'm gonna show how I have power in Russia. And UFC, I don't fight in UFC ever and UFC never, ever go to the Russia. UFC think Conor have power. I have power too. This is not all about pay-per-view. I have power too. I'm gonna show this power” said the lightweight contender.
With the current battle between the UFC and Jose Aldo, it will be interesting to see what happens if or when another big star like Khabib Nurmagomedov goes head to head with the promotion.
