If Khabib Nurmagomedov is putting all his eggs in the Conor McGregor basket, he’ll wind up just like Jose Aldo.
Nurmagomedov only has eyes for that coveted golden strap, and to be fair, he’s probably done enough to earn a crack at it.
The undefeated Dagestani has amassed a professional record that looks more like one we’re used to seeing in professional boxing – 24 fights, 24 wins, eight of which have come in the UFC. He’s ran through just about everyone that’s been put in front of him including handing Rafael dos Anjos his last loss before the Brazilian went on that incredible run that saw him capture the title.
Anyone who tuned into his one-man dismantling of Michael Johnson on the UFC 205 preliminary card will know how much he wants that belt strapped around his waist. In between rounds he was screaming at Dana White, who was sitting cage-side, to give him his title shot.
Last week, Khabib announced on Twitter that he has no plans to fight in the UFC again if there isn’t a belt on the line the next time he enters the Octagon. A bold move considering it looks like current belt-holder Conor McGregor plans on taking some time off.
I want to fight for @ufc title for respect but if I don't get my title shot next I have different plan I won't be fighting in UFC @danawhite
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 16, 2016
His manager Ali Abdel-Aziz confirmed that this was indeed the hard stance his fighter was taking on a recent episode of the MMA Hour. However, his phrasing suggested that he wasn’t necessarily campaigning for a Red Panty Night specifically.
“Khabib will not fight again if he doesn’t get a title fight. He doesn’t give a shit who the title fight is against.”
“I don’t think it’s about money, it’s just Khabib is 24-0, 8-0 in the UFC. I think at this point, he deserves a title shot.”
Could be waiting a while #UFC205 https://t.co/lXHmFJ89uQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 15, 2016
With McGregor on the shelf for a while, one opponent that has been suggested for Khabib next is the other stand-out contender in the division, Tony Ferguson. El Cucuy is coming off a comprehensive decision victory over dos Anjos in a five-round main event and is currently riding a nine-fight win-streak.
Speaking to www.MK.ru (translation via FloCombat), Khabib admitted a match-up against Ferguson would interest him, but only if an interim belt was up for grabs for the victor. Like he already said numerous times, he wants that belt.
“In terms of my place with the UFC, I want either of these two fights – an interim title fight with Tony Ferguson, or fight for a real belt against Conor McGregor. Of course, I would like the second option more, but I think that they want to set me up with Ferguson. If they do, I’ll take the fight.”
However, his reasoning for taking an interim title fight is a little bit concerning. He went onto explain that he feels winning an interim belt would be enough to secure him a shot at McGregor, the fight he really wants.
“This is the key to the door of the room in which Conor is sitting in. I really want to open this door right now, but he has too many guards.”
There’s an issue with this approach, as we’ve learned from Jose Aldo’s case being the interim champion doesn’t guarantee you a unification bout with McGregor. Aldo fell for that trap in a bad way after he claimed the interim strap by outclassing Frankie Edgar at UFC 200.
When it was announced that McGregor would be facing Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight strap at UFC 205 following his back-to-back fights against Nate Diaz at 170 lb, ‘Scarface’ was royally pissed. He requested a contract termination, prepared himself to take the fight to court and even suggested deliberately throwing fights in an effort to get out of his deal before finally coming to his senses.
If anything, Nurmagomedov has less of a chance at fighting McGregor than Aldo did considering how many possible marquee fights the Notorious has set himself up with. The trilogy bout against Diaz is still a possibility while there are rumblings of him moving back up to welterweight to take on champion Tyron Woodley and achieve even more history.
Not to mention if Georges St-Pierre works things out with the promotion or if Nick Diaz decides he wants to fight McGregor, then Khabib will be pushed further down the queue again.
His willingness to accept a fight with the next guy in the line is a smart move on Khabib’s part, but you have to worry about him banking on that prize of a Red Panty Night when McGregor has so many other options on the table.
