Pettis still wants Khabib fight, waiting for word from UFC

Anthony Pettis needed to shed just .2 pounds to step into a lightweight title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

After tipping the scales a little over weight, a UFC official took the scale away and said Pettis won't weigh-in a second time, MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani reports.

Tabbed to step in for Max Holloway and Tony Ferguson as Nurmagomedov's third opponent for Saturday's UFC 223 card, Pettis asked for a bigger payday and the UFC countered with less, according to Karyn Bryant of UFC on FOX.

Paul Felder was then slated to get the much-coveted spot, but the unranked lightweight was denied by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Nurmagomedov remains without an opponent nearly 31 hours before the event is set to begin and fighters are still petitioning for their roles.

The only word from the UFC came at 2:35 p.m. ET when an official said a statement from the promotion is forthcoming as the matter is still being finalized, according to Mark La Monica of Newsday.