Top UFC lightweight Nurmagomedov: I’m in MMA for the belt, not the ‘money’

Despite the UFC’s rise in big-money fights, Khabib Nurmagomedov is still only interested in acquiring the lightweight title.

The UFC’s main attraction, Conor McGregor, has been throwing his weight around in the promotion. When the Irishman lost to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, McGregor was expected to return to the featherweight division to defend his title, but ‘The Notorious’ demanded an immediate rematch with Diaz.

His wish was granted, and the Diaz-McGregor spectacle at UFC 202 proved to be one of the company’s biggest PPV’s. Despite the massive pay-per-view success, many MMA fans began to question whether the UFC was valuing big-money fights over traditional, rankings-based title fights.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, however, who is ranked as the No. 1 lightweight contender in the world, isn’t interested in the money. Speaking to Champions.co in a recent interview, ‘The Eagle’ said his only goal is to bring the belt back to Dagestan.

“I care about the belt,” Nurmagomedov said, per Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. “I want to finish this fight and fight for the title. I don’t care who has the title, who wins (between Alvarez and McGregor). I don’t care about money.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor, which will see McGregor look to make history by becoming the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously (featherweight and lightweight), headlines the blockbuster UFC 205 event in New York.

Nurmagomedov, who boasts an undefeated record, says MMA has never been about the spotlight or the money.

“I know a lot of fighters fight for the money, but money is not everything for me. I know money is very important for life, but I have money. I never use MMA to make money. MMA for me is about my life, about my blood and about everything I do all my life. Money, I can make money with other stuff. I have money. I have everything. I need the belt.”

Nurmagomedov will look to take on the winner of Alvarez-McGregor when he locks horns with Michael Johnson at UFC 205. The pay-per-view takes place on November 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Despite the UFC’s rise in big-money fights, Khabib Nurmagomedov is still only interested in acquiring the lightweight title.

The UFC’s main attraction, Conor McGregor, has been throwing his weight around in the promotion. When the Irishman lost to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, McGregor was expected to return to the featherweight division to defend his title, but ‘The Notorious’ demanded an immediate rematch with Diaz.

His wish was granted, and the Diaz-McGregor spectacle at UFC 202 proved to be one of the company’s biggest PPV’s. Despite the massive pay-per-view success, many MMA fans began to question whether the UFC was valuing big-money fights over traditional, rankings-based title fights.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, however, who is ranked as the No. 1 lightweight contender in the world, isn’t interested in the money. Speaking to Champions.co in a recent interview, ‘The Eagle’ said his only goal is to bring the belt back to Dagestan.

“I care about the belt,” Nurmagomedov said, per Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. “I want to finish this fight and fight for the title. I don’t care who has the title, who wins (between Alvarez and McGregor). I don’t care about money.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor, which will see McGregor look to make history by becoming the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously (featherweight and lightweight), headlines the blockbuster UFC 205 event in New York.

Nurmagomedov, who boasts an undefeated record, says MMA has never been about the spotlight or the money.

“I know a lot of fighters fight for the money, but money is not everything for me. I know money is very important for life, but I have money. I never use MMA to make money. MMA for me is about my life, about my blood and about everything I do all my life. Money, I can make money with other stuff. I have money. I have everything. I need the belt.”

Nurmagomedov will look to take on the winner of Alvarez-McGregor when he locks horns with Michael Johnson at UFC 205. The pay-per-view takes place on November 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York.