by King Hazard
In 2016, MMA veteran Khabib Nurmagomedov was played around with by the UFC. He was promised a lightweight title shot a number of times, which where all pretty much lies to lure together other UFC fights.
In the New Year, it appears like Nurmagomedov has had enough with all the promotional bullshit and outlined a plan that totally makes sense in his outstanding MMA career.
The undefeated Russian mixed martial artist of Avar heritage and two time Combat Sambo World Champion plans to take out Tony Ferguson in the rumored UFC 209 interim title bout and then fight Conor McGregor for the real belt in 2017.
Nurmagomedov said on The MMA Hour,
I want to beat Tony Ferguson, take the interim bullsh*t belt, and I will fight with Conor for real belt. This is what I want to make in 2017.
If the UFC would ask me about Conor, of course I would take this fight. He has the belt now. I want to take his belt. … It’s my belt. Everybody knows I deserve a title shot. But, Tony Ferguson is on nine win streak, he deserves [a chance] too.
At the moment, there’s multiple reports claiming that the UFC has been in talks to stage a card in Russia. Nurmagomedov believes he could fill a soccer stadium with 100,000 spectators in his homeland, if a fight with McGregor comes to fruition.
I think if I fight with Conor, UFC makes it New York or Vegas. Madison Square Garden or T-Mobile Arena, because these are two biggest arena for pay-per-view shows. Russia, not good for pay-per-view, Ireland, not good for pay-per-view. Here, everybody understands this sport and good fights, but number one, UFC is a business, they’re in business to make money.
But if you make this fight in Russia, Moscow, Sochi or maybe Dagestan, then maybe 100,000 [fans]. Why not? I fight in Russia, and I have to say, Conor is famous in Russia too. I think 100 percent we would sell all those tickets.
If UFC 209 comes together with him on the fight card against Ferguson, then it will take place on March 4, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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