#1 UFC ranked lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is not happy that he is not challenging Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 205 in New York.
Nurmagomedov feels he was “used” to set up the lightweight title fight between Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor, which will headline the UFC 205 card. Instead of fighting for the lightweight title, Nurmagomedov was given a fight against Michael Johnson, which the Russian says will be his last fight before he gets to the title.
“After this fight I have to fight for the title,” Nurmagomedov said on The Luke Thomas Show (transcribed by MMA Fighting). “UFC thinks Conor has power? Irish people only like 6 million people. I am from Russia. 150 million people. If UFC don’t give me the title fight after this fight, I’m going to show how I have power in Russia. I know if I don’t fight for the title next fight, UFC will never, ever go to Russia.”
“The Eagle” stated that he signed two separate contracts to fight Alvarez for either UFC 205 or UFC 206. Unfortunately for Nurmagomedov, the fight never came together like he had planned.
“Eddie understands who is who. Eddie and Eddie’s coaches, everybody know ‘this a very tough fight for me.’ That’s why he don’t take this fight. He even said ‘I want an easy fight’. You’re champion. UFC champion. You’re supposed to fight number one ranked, and number one ranked is not easy. For me, it’s a crazy situation. But it’s ok. Life is going and I’m going to keep going and I’m going to finish Michael Johnson at UFC 205 and after this I want to fight for the title.”
“The Eagle” sounds like he is holding a bit of a grudge and will ensure that he does everything in his power to get his title fight with a win over Johnson.
“I’d rather take this fight [with Johnson] because [Alvarez] signed with the UFC bullshit contract because he understands if he takes fight with me, his belt is going bye-bye. That’s why both of them take this fight. And Dana a little bit played games and used my name. I never forget this.
“If I don’t fight, I’m gonna show how I have power in Russia. And UFC, I don’t fight in UFC ever and UFC never, ever go to the Russia. UFC think Conor have power. I have power too. This is not all about pay-per-view. I have power too. I’m gonna show this power.”
Will Khabib Nurmagomedov get his UFC lightweight title fight with a win over Michael Johnson at UFC 205 on November 12? Share your thoughts on Nurmagomedov vs. Johnson and what is next for the winner!