Rumors are swirling that there are people in Saudi Arabia that want to pay UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov $100 million to either fight Conor McGregor or box Floyd Mayweather.
Nurmagomedov doesn’t appear all that interested in the rumors right now. And who could blame him? He’s got a red hot contender in Tony Ferguson already on tap for the UFC 249 main event on April 18 in Brooklyn.
Ali Abdelaziz, Nurmagmedov’s manager, told TMZ recently that he has personally been in touch with the people that want to pay his fighter $100 million to fight in Saudi Arabia.
“I know some people in Saudi Arabia, they met with me, they want to pay $100 million to Khabib to fight Conor in Saudi Arabia. They want to pay Khabib $100 million to fight Floyd in Saudi Arabia,” said Abdelaziz.
Both Abdelaziz and Nurmagomedov, however, know they must remain focused on the task at hand before entertaining any such offers beyond UFC 249.
“I have a fight on April 18,” Nurmagomedov said, according to RT Sport. “I have a very serious fight. For the past month and a half, I’ve been consistently training day and night. I’ve gotten myself in good shape, to where I’m supposed to be 70 days before a fight. I feel great. What will happen after a fight no one knows.”
Nurmagomedov has been steadfast that he has no interest in a rematch with Conor McGregor until the Irishman earns it. Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by way of fourth-round submission at UFC 229 in a fight that many people feel he dominated.
“I’m surprised that people even question me about a rematch. It seems that people want to continue the festivities after that fight. Everyone saw what happened in the Octagon. I controlled the fight every step of the way. I did everything I wanted to him. He even gave up. How can we even discuss a rematch? We can only talk about continuing the festivities and making money. The question is: do I want that? I am focused on Tony Ferguson.”
Though there is bad blood that lingers between them, Nurmagomedov, despite a flashy pay day dangling before him, doesn’t see a justification for the rematch.
“Why do I need that kind of money, there are so many organizations… There’s not only football for the blind, there’s Sambo and other sports. Let (the UFC) give it to them if they don’t know what to do with the money. But giving me $100 million to beat up that idiot again? I don’t think that’s rational.”
TRENDING > Conor McGregor voices support for US President Donald Trump
Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2 might rival Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather
(Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)