Khabib Nurmagomedov has been demanding a lightweight title shot ever since he returned from a two-year layoff due to injury. During that time, Eddie Alvarez has won the 155 pound strap, and the Dagestani fighter has relentlessly pursued a fight with Alvarez ever since.
Khabib took to Twitter on Monday and posted a photoshopped reference to the film ‘The Shining’, where he is the crazed axe-wielding villain and Alvarez is the cowering heroine.
So funny 😂 #lightweightchamp @danawhite @Ealvarezfight @ufc @MarkCoachmark13 pic.twitter.com/Gq0ZmCYMAs
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 26, 2016
Alvarez has been linked to fights with both Khabib as well as Conor McGregor and Nurmagomedov has remained persistent in his quest for lightweight gold at Alvarez’s expense.
Before Khabib’s injury, he was poised to rematch Rafael dos Anjos, who at the time held the belt and had also lost to the Sambo specialist by decision back in 2014. Nurmagomedov (23-0) returned in 2016 and took on late-replacement and promotional newcomer Darrell Horcher, who he defeated by TKO in April.
Khabib’s campaign for a fight with Alvarez began in August, when he first took to Twitter to call out the newly crowned champ.
For Alvarez’s part, the lightweight champ, who won the belt by finishing dos Anjos by TKO in the first round, has remained relatively quiet on who he will be fighting next. Meanwhile, Khabib has posted several fight contracts to fight Alvarez on his social media, suggesting that the UFC is in fact working on a title fight between the two.
Khabib’s leaked bout agreements were for fights at UFC 205 and UFC 206 against Alvarez, however it appears that the fight hasn’t been locked down, as Alvarez has not yet signed on to fight him.
Who would you rather see Alvarez defend his belt against first, McGregor or Nurmagomedov? Do you feel the featherweight champ has earned a title shot at lightweight? Or has Khabib’s return and undefeated record earned him a shot at lightweight gold? Sound off in the comments section, PENN Nation!