It appears Khabib Nurmagomedov has decided fighting for the UFC is the better option for him right now.
After stating he would only meet lightweight champion Conor McGregor next, “The Eagle” is focusing in now on Tony Ferguson in early 2017. The two were set to meet earlier this year, but injuries kept them from squaring off in a key eliminator bout at 155 pounds.
“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 don’t want fight before May or June, I want to take other fight. I want to fight for the interim belt with Tony Ferguson,” Nurmagomedov told RT Sports. “Last time he was injured. He pulled out, not me. He’s not coming to April 16 to the fight. 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 its perfect date is March. Not early, only March.”
Recently, Nurmagomedov bested Michael Johnson to keep his unbeaten record intact. Ferguson, meanwhile, downed former division kingpin Rafael dos Anjos.