Top-ranked UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for a shot at the UFC’s 155-pound title for quite some time and will be very disappointed with his promotion if he is not handed the next opportunity at the talent stacked weight classes strap.
Nurmagomedov has threatened to not fight again for the UFC if he is not next in line to challenge for the lightweight title, but according to his father the Russian may be willing to step into the Octagon with Tony Ferguson to solidify his status as the #1 contender:
"We will not wait longer than 3 months,” Abdulmanap told MMANews, “We'll wait for 3 months and at the 4th, we need an opponent.
Let them give us any opponent. Even at 77kgs (welterweight). At this moment, it is better to fight with Ferguson -- just to nail this thing down.”
Ferguson is coming off a rather impressive performance against former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos earlier this month, as ‘El Cucuy’ took home a lopsided unanimous decision victory over the former Brazilian champ.
Also read: Khabib says UFC are protecting Conor McGregor
Nurmagomedov is coming off of a lopsided victory of his own, as he thrashed Michael Johnson at UFC 205 for two rounds before locking in a devastating Kimura for the third round submission victory.
Both men have proven themselves more than worthy of the title opportunity, but only one can get the first crack at the gold. Now with two division world champ Conor McGregor sitting as the division’s champion it makes matters all the more complicated.
Regardless of who gets the nod for the title opportunity next, it will certainly pose problems for the new lightweight champ.
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