Khabib Nurmagomedov says interim title fight with Tony Ferguson would be a ‘REAL high-level fight’
Number-one contender says he doesn’t want to wait around for McGregor to become a father, and says a battle with fellow top contender Tony Ferguson would be a top-drawer matchup
NUMBER-one lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov took a sly dig at Conor McGregor, saying an interim title fight with Tony Ferguson would be a “real high-level fight”.
With McGregor expected to be out for the first part of 2017 to attend to the birth of his first child, Nurmagomedov wants to cement his position as the top contender at 155lbs with a win over fellow contender Ferguson, with the Dagestan fighter targeting March for the contest.
Speaking to RT Sport, the undefeated Nurmagomedov laid out his plans, saying: "I feel very bad about this because before this year I have two years rest because I have injured all the time.
"Now I don't want (to be) waiting for this guy. If Conor doesn't want (to) fight before May-June, I want to take another fight. I want to fight for the interim belt with Tony Ferguson.
"Last time he was injured. He pulled out, not me.
"Before I have been injured and now it’s... why not?
"Now, I think the UFC wants to make this fight. I feel this, and for me the perfect date is March. Not early, only March."
Nurmagomedov then praised his potential opponent, adding a thinly-veiled dig in the direction of McGregor in the process.
"Tony Ferguson is tough guy, tough opponent and (on a) nine-win streak. Why not?" he said.
"I think this is real high level lightweight fight. Not Conor versus me. I think this is real high level fight.
"Tomorrow I’m beginning my training and I wanna come back to the gym, stop media, stop travelling and focus my training and focus on improving myself.
"I want to come back in March.”
After his dynamite post-fight interview after demolishing Michael Johnson at UFC 205, Nurmagomedov has been viewed by some as the polar opposite to McGregor.
And the proud Dagestan lightweight says his tough upbringing helped give him the fortitude to become one of the very best lightweight fighters on the planet.
"I’m from Dagestan, I'm born in Dagestan, and Dagestan is a different level for people living a tough life, people living in the mountains,” he said.
"I am ready for everything.
“I don’t think I’m a bad guy from Dagestan. I think I’m a good guy from Dagestan.
“But for my opponents for sure I’m a bad guy because when I go to the cage every time I smash my opponents.
“That’s why I don’t think for my opponents I’m a good guy, but for the younger generation, (for an) example, I am a good guy."
