UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION Khabib Nurmagomedov insists he will need a new contract or special terms with the organisation to fight Conor McGregor.
The 29-year-old says he is determined not to be short-changed on any bout where he is pitted against the Dubliner.
Doorstepped by TMZ yesterday, the Russian made it clear that any fight on his current contract would be against third-ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier.
“If they want to use me, I’m the undefeated, undisputed UFC lightweight champion,” said the 26-0 Nurmagomedov.
“I don’t need him. He needs me. His last four fights, he’s like 2-2, He don’t fight (in the UFC for) two years, he don’t deserve this type of shot. Dustin Poirier is on the line, he deserves this.
“If they want to use me and make a lot of millions using my name, no way. They want a money fight? Please pay me.”
During a quick two-minute chat, that sentiment was repeated numerous times by the lightweight, who was the subject of McGregor’s disorderly conduct charge after a trolley-wielding bus attack in Brooklyn in April.
“If they want to make money fight, they have to pay me too. I’m not going to give him a chance to use my name and Conor makes money, UFC make money and I make, like, $200,000.”
If I fight (under) my current contract, I can fight. Okay, give me Poirier. But if they want to use my name and use me to make money, Conor and UFC, no way.”
Money aside, Nurmagomedov insists he is keen to meet McGregor in the octagon to ‘make him humble’.
“I hope they’re going to make this fight because I really want to change this guy’s face. I want to meet him alone inside the cage, only me and him.”
With McGregor also in New York this week, the Russian was asked who would win if the pair somehow got past their entourages to get into a scrap on the street.
“He’s a tap machine.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
