UFC 223's main event might crown an undisputed champion after all.
While lightweight titleholder Conor McGregor has yet to be stripped despite his inactivity, Khabib Nurmagomedov recently told RT Sport that the winner of his date with interim champ Tony Ferguson on April 7 will be promoted to undisputed king the following day - so UFC president Dana White told him, at least. According to the undefeated Russian, he and Ferguson won't be battling for the latter's interim crown, but for a vacant one at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
"I talk with Dana (White), I spoke to everybody about this situation," Nurmagomedov said. "But they say we are going to fight for a vacant belt, vacant undisputed belt. This is not Conor's belt, this is not Tony Ferguson’s interim belt, this is a vacant belt. And after when we fight (on) the 7th of April, on the 8th of April they are going to make it official - (whoever) wins becomes the real champ.
"Now Tony Ferguson is still an interim champion. They call (McGregor) the champion, but he isn't the champ. Whoever wins becomes the real champ."
White refrained from providing any clarity as to whether McGregor will be stripped of the crown he has yet to defend in his 14-month reign, but Nurmagomedov has little doubt that his meeting with Ferguson will determine the world's preeminent lightweight.
Should the 29-year-old get his hand raised in Brooklyn, he aims to knock the free-wheeling McGregor off his pedestal. Given the Irishman has only competed once at 155 pounds under the UFC banner, Nurmagomedov believes he should take a number and properly work his way up the divisional ladder - provided the strap is gracing the Russian's waist come April 8.
"He can fight with Diaz, he can fight in boxing, but Inshallah (by God’s will) when I will beat Tony Ferguson, I am going to make him little bit humble," he said. "And he will have to stay on the line. He’ll have to stay on the line because he has only one fight in 155. And he wants to fight for the title? No, no way.
"When I become UFC lightweight champ I am going to say 'hey, who is a real contender, who has five, six or seven win streak?' They have to fight for the title, not you. We will see what happens, but I don’t think that he will ever fight with me. I think they understand what will happen."