If the rumors are correct that UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is set to face Conor McGregor at UFC 205, there will be one man on the sidelines who won't be pleased with being overlooked again for a shot at the belt.

With 23-straight wins to his name, Khabib Nurmagomedov is awaiting the news of his next step. After witnessing Alvarez defeat champion Rafael dos Anjos back in July, he believes it's only a matter of time until he gets his hands on the title himself.

"I took a couple of weeks off, but now I'm back in full training awaiting news of my next battle, which I hope will be a title shot," Nurmagomedov said. "I was a little bit surprised to see Eddie win, to be honest; I thought dos Anjos was going to win this fight. It was the perfect example of how one punch can change a fight, and it shows that in MMA, anything can happen on the night.

"I think it's funny how since Eddie has won the title, he doesn't want to fight me. Eddie can run from me, but he can't hide. Everyone here at KHK and everyone around me believes in me, and of course, I believe in myself. It's a matter of time before I get this belt."

If Nurmagomedov is overlooked for the next shot at the belt, he said he won't sit around and wait on the sidelines. Though he is single-mindedly focused on holding the 155-pound strap, the Russian hinted he would consider a different fight, and that it wouldn't matter who he faced, because he'd beat them anyway.

"I'm not going to sit around and wait," Nurmagomedov said. "Let's see what happens. I don't know what the plan is. If I don't get the shot at Eddie, it doesn't matter who I fight. I believe I'm the best guy in the world. I just want to fight the person who has the belt."



May 25, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Khabib Nurmagomedov strains to lift Abel Trujillo during UFC 160 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

One of the UFC lightweights who has been the most vocal about the Russian recently is Tony Ferguson, who said he was a "Little b*tch" and that he uses "Lay and pray" tactics when he fights. Nurmagomedov said dos Anjos would soon take him down a peg or two.

"Dos Anjos will quickly make Tony irrelevant in the title picture when he beats him," Nurmagomedov said. "I don't care about him. Every time this guy sees me, he asks to take a picture with me and he's my number one fan. I don't call people names, I do my punishment in the cage and if we ever fight, he will understand who the b*tch is."

While Nurmagomedov awaits news on his next fight, he spends his time at KHK working with his teammates. He's currently helping his friend, Eldar Eldarov, prepare for his fight against SBG Ireland's Kevin Kolbovsky at the first-ever BRAVE MMA event set to be held in at the Khalifa Sports City in Manama.

"I'm totally injury-free, and have been for a long time now," Nurmagomedov said. "I have lots of people to thank at KHK who have been amazing--Sheikh Khalid has been a great friend, brother and big supporter of my career. Right now, I'm working with my friend Eldar who is getting ready for fight on September 23.

"I think Brave is going to give so many opportunities to many guys in the Middle East and North Africa. I think Eldar is going to smash his opponent--he's looking great right now."

Nurmagomedov isn't going to just content be content with helping his teammates though. The Russian wants his year to end one way and one way only.

"I want to be in Madison Square Garden and I want to be hearing Bruce Buffer say 'AND NEW U-F-C lightweight champion of the world… Khabib Nurmagomedov.'"