UFC 223: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta

Khabib Nurmagomedov Predicts '2, 3 Million' PPV Fight vs. Conor McGregor

Khabib Nurmagomedov Predicts '2, 3 Million' PPV Fight vs. Conor McGregor

UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov discusses UFC 223, potential tilts with Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre in Russia.

Apr 9, 2018 by FloCombat Staff
Khabib Nurmagomedov Predicts '2, 3 Million' PPV Fight vs. Conor McGregor

Khabib Nurmagomedov is undeniably one of the hottest, most talked-about UFC stars right now. 

After dominating headlines and storylines leading into his UFC 223 scrap vs. Al Iaquinta, the future looks bright for the undefeated UFC lightweight champion. 

Speaking with WFAN's Outside the Cage following his unanimous decision victory at Saturday's event in Brooklyn, NY, Nurmagomedov discussed this future and some interesting matchups it may hold. 

"Conor [McGregor] is very big name," Nurmagomedov said. "It's going to be big pay-per-[view] show, like two, three million pay-per-view buy[s]. Why not if Georges St-Pierre don't come [to] 155?" 

While St-Pierre and McGregor are the two names Nurmagomedov wants for his first title defense, he admits McGregor holds a special appeal with their recent beef. 

In a well-documented series of events, McGregor went after the Dagestani star following the UFC 223 media day at the Barclays Center, setting off a chain reaction of chaos. To Nurmagomedov, this is an easy problem to fix.

"We have to finish these things, this beef—maybe chicken. Let's talk about chicken," Nurmagomedov said. "He have to stop eat[ing] Burger Kings and come back here. Too much Burger Kings. You want to fight with me? Come here. I'm here. My last three month[s], I fight twice. I fight this (Edson) Barboza. I fight this Iaquinta. Iaquinta is tough kid. Barboza is tough kid. I'm here. 

"Now, UFC have only one champion, real, undisputed, and undefeated. Let's go." 

Where that bout may take place is another matter. While Nurmagomedov previously stated he wanted St-Pierre in New York's Madison Square Garden, the emerging possibility of the UFC heading to Russia also captured the champ's attention. 

According to Nurmagomedov, he would love to fight in Russia—but with one catch. 

"One hundred percent, if UFC come to Russia, and they make pay-per-[view] show, I want to fight there. Why not?" Nurmagomedov said. "I have belt. If UFC ask me, 'Hey, let's go. You have to fight in September,' because Ramadan is finished June 15. I have two weeks [in] June, July, August, and two weeks [in] September. I have time. I have almost 100 day[s] after Ramadan. Of course, I am going to take this."

The caveat is the pay-per-view component. 

"If UFC going to make, like, UFC Fight Night or something like this in Russia, of course UFC never put me there because they want to put me in big pay-per-[view] show," Nurmagomedov said.