This would throw a spanner in the works for Conor McGregor.
If The Notorious wants to be a two-weight UFC champion, it is highly likely that he will have to go through Rafael Dos Anjos.
RDA is the man in possession of the lightweight belt after his successful, first round defence against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at the weekend.
McGregor is itching for a shot at the title and an April date with the Brazilian has been spoken of by his coach, John Kavanagh, as the ideal.
However, Khabib Nurmagomedov has other ideas.
My congrats @RdosAnjosMMA Cheer up @Cowboycerrone u already a legend in LW division.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 20, 2015
The Russian lightweight, currently ranked third in the UFC standings, is the only fighter to defeat Dos Anjos in the past three years.
The Eagle has been out of the fight game, through injury, since April of this year but is ready to hit the gym again. Nurmagomedov has also made a bold, tempting offer to the champion and one that might stall McGregor’s plans. He told AG Fight:
“In January, I will increase my workouts and get back to wrestling and striking.
“I want to be ready by March and perhaps try to beat the Brazilian champion in Brazi.
“He wants people to say he is the champion but I dominated him before. He must defeat me before people can say he is the true champion. But first, I need to get fit.”
For his own part, Dos Anjos says he wants McGregor next.
“I need to make the Brazilians happy,” he told Sherdog. “They had a big loss because he beat Jose Aldo.
“Now, all the Brazilians are sending me messages on social media – ‘Hey man, beat McGregor’ ‘Beat McGregor’. I want to make them happy.”
