Khabib Nurmagomedov was last seen in the Octagon at UFC 219, defeating Edson Barboza by unanimous decision.
Ali Abdelaziz is Nurmagomedov’s manager and he claims that his client is never competing for any interim championships.
“Khabib’s next fight, we’re not fighting for no damn interim belt,” Abdelaziz said to MMA Fighting. “We want the real belt, or we don’t want nothing. We appreciate everything the UFC has done for us, but it’s time for a real belt. Nobody is interested in fighting for a fake belt. Tony Ferguson has a fake belt. Nobody wants this.”
The UFC current has two champions in the 155 pound weight class, with Conor McGregor holding the UFC Lightweight Title and Tony Ferguson holding the UFC Interim Lightweight Title.
McGregor hasn’t competed since winning the title at UFC 205, but recently stated that an MMA fight was next for him.
UFC President Dana White also recently stated that Nurmagomedov’s next bout in the UFC could be against Ferguson, but it could also be for the undisputed UFC Lightweight Title if McGregor doesn't return in time.
Nurmagomedov’s father also recently stated that if McGregor wasn’t next for his son, former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez would serve as a suitable opponent.
