Nurmagomedov demands title shot after next fight or he will leave UFC
The UFC has another disgruntled employee on its hands.
When the promotion booked a superfight between featherweight champion Conor Mcgregor and lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez for the main event of UFC 205 on Nov. 12, it had to be known that it would cause ripples in the fighters' respective divisions.
First it was Jose Aldo threatening to quit after being denied a rematch with McGregor, and now its No. 1 lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov wondering why he's been hung out to dry. Nurmagomedov has agreed to fight Michael Johnson at UFC 205, but if he improves his record to 24-0, he wants a title shot.
Anything less, and he claims he's done making that long walk to the Octagon.
"If I don't fight after this fight for the title, I never fight in UFC," Nurmagomedov said on "The Luke Thomas Show" on Tuesday. "No more. Because I deserve this. I am undefeated, I never lose. Eight-and-a-half years, I never lose. And everybody knows that I deserve this fight."
In April, Nurmagomedov returned from a two-year layoff to defeat short-notice opponent Darrell Horcher by second-round TKO. While injuries have kept him from capitalizing on his undefeated record, Nurmagomedov has also accused Alvarez of avoiding him.
"First of all, the UFC say, 'You're going to fight Aug. 27 in Canada against Eddie," I say, 'I take this fight.' Eddie does not take this fight. After, UFC gives me 205 (to fight Alvarez). Eddie say, 'No.' After, the UFC gives me 206. Eddie say, 'No.' And now these guys make this bullshit fight," said Nurmagomedov. "Yes, I understand that this is money fight but first of all, this is sport and the champion has to fight the No. 1-ranked (contender). I'm the No. 1 ranked.
"I fight in the lightweight division for almost five years in the UFC. Conor McGregor never fight in the lightweight division. For me, I think this is a very bad situation."
For now, all Nurmagomedov can do is prepare himself for Johnson, a dangerous opponent with several wins over top-10 lightweights on his resume. Nurmagomedov is not looking past Johnson, but he's ready to show the UFC just how much influence he has in his native Russia if the promotion doesn't play ball.
"After this fight, I have to fight for the title," said Nurmagomedov. "UFC thinks Conor has power? Ireland has only six million people. I'm from Russia. 150 million people. If the UFC doesn't give me a title fight after this fight, I'm going to show how I have power in Russia. And I know if I don't fight for the title next fight after this fight, the UFC will never, ever go to Russia. Never."