UFC news 2017: Nurmagomedov wants to fight McGregor in an 80,000-seat arena in Moscow

Wikimedia Commons

Conor McGregor is a UFC star.

Number one lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov has never been afraid to say what he thinks. Who could forget his epic rant about how the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) might never hold an event in Russia if he doesn't get a title shot? He does have a point, though. Mixed martial arts (MMA) fans have been waiting to see him in a title bout for some time now. He's undefeated and his grappling skills are second to none. In fact, the way he destroyed Michael Johnson in their UFC 205 fight was absolutely brilliant.

While he would likely have to face Tony Ferguson first before he could get his hands on UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, Nurmagomedov said (via MMA Mania) that once he defeats Ferguson, nothing else would stand in his way for a title bout. And he wants the UFC to stage the fight in an 80,000-seat arena in Moscow.

"I want to beat Tony Ferguson, take interim bullshit belt, and after fight with Conor for the real belt. I am famous in Russia and, we have to say, Conor is famous in Russia, too. If UFC make a promotional tour all over the world, like Rio de Janeiro, Las Vegas, New York, Toronto, London, Moscow, Tokyo, everywhere, you know, make this PR program. And, after this, UFC give me and Conor three months for preparing and make this 80,000 arena in Moscow — I think 100 percent we can sell all these tickets," he stated.

Of course, before that bout with McGregor can happen, Ferguson has to agree to fight Nurmagomedov. Right now, Ferguson doesn't want to fight unless he is paid the same amount as Nurmagomedov. However, the UFC refuses to renegotiate his contract.

Interestingly, Nurmagomedov has announced that he's willing to give Ferguson 200 thousand dollars to make the fight happen. Since then, Ferguson has stated that he doesn't want the money from Nurmagomedov. He just wants the UFC to pay him what he is worth.