Khabib Nurmagomedov is expecting a fight of epic proportions against Conor McGregor, which is why he wants a world tour to promote it.
Now that Khabib Nurmagomedov is the UFC undisputed lightweight champion, a lot more possibilities have rightfully opened up. While “The Eagle” himself prefers a fight against Georges St-Pierre, one of the names that have been constantly thrown his way is that of Conor McGregor’s.
During his UFC 223 post-fight media scrum, Khabib told reporters that he is expecting a massive fight with “The Notorious”, and for that very reason, he hopes that a world tour would be set for promotional purposes.
“I hope he’s gonna fight. We have to fight,” Khabib said (transcript via MMA Fighting). “Make world tour everywhere, Tokyo, Moscow, Dublin, Los Angeles, Rio. Big world tour, promote this fight, and fight end of the year, biggest arena in the world, Madison Square Garden. Why not? Or maybe in Zaire or Philippines.”
“Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter, I’m here,” he continued. “He want to become lightweight champion? He have to fight with me. Now, no more this all fake champions. You guys remember when he put tweet, ‘Beg me.’ Please, beg me.”
“It’s going to be very big fight. It’s going to be very big fight, I think. Let’s go. I am ready for this. November, September in Moscow, November in New York. Any time. Let’s go. Let’s fight in Africa or somewhere. I am here.”
The rift between Khabib and McGregor took a turn for the worse when the Irishman decided to attack the fighters’ bus after media day on Thursday in Brooklyn. The reason for this commotion has been linked to Khabib’s run-in with McGregor’s teammate Artem Lobov some days prior.
From his end, Khabib is hoping that he would be able to settle his beef with McGregor, one way or another.
“We have to finish this beef. Beef, chicken, or something like this,” Khabib said. “He have to stop eat Burger Kings and — you want to fight? Come. I told you guys, we’re gonna make him humble. I told you guys, I’m gonna change this game.
“Now, only one champion. No more fake champions. No more champion who never defend his title, or something like this. Now, UFC have champion, and this champion want to defend his title. You want to fight? Come here.”
“Inside the cage, come. Outside the cage, let me know without camera, without all this media,” he added. “Like men. He come when a lot of security here, outside the bus, inside the bus, security here, don’t let me go out. Like, he try to, ‘Hey, come out,’ like this. Why you need this show up? Let me know and that’s it, any time.”
After his victory over Al Iaquinta on Saturday night that earned him the UFC undisputed lightweight strap, Khabib also managed to keep his undefeated record intact. He now holds a slate of 26-0 (with 16 wins by stoppage).