Khabib Nurmagomedov News

Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson turns down Khabib Nurmagomedov's $200K offer

Tom Taylor - January 3, 2017

With lightweight champion Conor McGregor currently taking a break from competition, the lightweight limelight is shining on two men. Those two men are undefeated Dagestan native Khabib Nurmagomedov, and streaking Californian Tony Ferguson. The two talented lightweights have long been rumored to fight while McGregor takes his hiatus – perhaps even for an interim title. Regrettably, negotiations recently hit a snag when Ferguson said that he wouldn’t accept the fight if he was paid less than Nurmagomedov. In response to this claim, Nurmagomedov offered to pay Ferguson $200,000 extra on top of his purse, out of his own pocket.

Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson explains why he wants more money: I have a contract but I've outperformed that contract

Tom Taylor - January 2, 2017

With champion Conor McGregor currently enjoying a break from competition, the biggest story in the lightweight division is the ongoing rivalry between top contenders Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and their long-rumored interim title fight. Unfortunately, negotiations for this highly hyped showdown have recently reached a standstill, as Ferguson has said he won’t accept the fight if he’s paid any less than Nurmagomedov is.

Khabib Ferguson
Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov offers to pay Tony Ferguson to accept fight

Tom Taylor - January 2, 2017

With UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor currently taking a hiatus from competition to father his first child, the lightweight limelight is shining on two men: Dagestan’s Khabib Nurmagomedov, and California’s Tony Ferguson. Under normal circumstances, either man could easily be argued to be deserving of the next shot at the lightweight title. Because the champion is currently out of the picture, however, they’ve shifted their focus to one another. For weeks, it has been rumored that the two streaking lightweights will fight for the division’s interim title sometime in the first quarter of 2017, and they’ve spiced these rumors up with plenty of trash talk on social media.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov sends a message to the UFC and Conor McGregor

Chris Taylor - December 29, 2016

Earlier this afternoon top UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov took to his Instagram where he posted a photo along with a message directed at the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the promotions current lightweight champion Conor McGregor. This message to @UFC : It is clear to everyone that you hiding Conor from me. But stop lying to your fans like I don't want fight with Aldo, I'm ready to fight with anyone in my division. Give me relevant fight, so you won't be able to hide the belt from me after. But not the fight, where people say after my victory: he is too small, Khabib too big for him etc. I'm asking you for match that whole world is waiting for, give me Tony. You have never matched up two guys with 9 and 8 win streak in UFC, NEVER IN UFC HISTORY. #telltruthtopeople Хочу обратиться к @UFC : Всему миру понятно что вы прячете от меня Конора, но не надо рассказывать свои сказки фанатам, перестаньте врать типо я не хочу боя с Альдо, я готов драться с любым бойцом в моем весе. Дайте мне конкурентный бой, после которого вы не сможете прятать от меня пояс. А не тот бой, чтоб люди говорили после моей победы: Он же маленький, Хабиб слишком большой для него и т д. Сейчас я у вас прошу бой, которого ждёт весь бойцовский мир, дайте мне Тони. Вы в своей истории не проводили бой между двумя бойцами у одного из которых 9 побед подряд в рамках UFC а у другого 8 побед. #говорителюдямправду #юфсишныеигрыопятьвтеме

Conor McGregor
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager's bold claim for Conor McGregor

bjpenndotcom - December 27, 2016

Since his dominant UFC 205 win over Michael Johnson, top ranked UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov has been looking for a fight with lightweight champion Conor McGregor. While it was initially reported that McGregor would be sidelined for 10 months due to the upcoming birth of his firstborn child, the ‘champ champ’ recently stated that he could be returning to the Octagon much sooner than initially expected. This has led to even more controversy surrounding the lightweight title picture, and who will be getting the next lightweight title shot. While the UFC was initially looking to book Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for an interim lightweight title fight, Ferguson then revealed that he planned to hold out for more money. This led to rumors of a potential Nate Diaz vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov interim title fight, however Jose Aldo’s manager was quick to reveal that Aldo was looking to move up to lightweight for an interim title fight.

top ufc lightweights
Tony Ferguson

VIDEO | Khabib Nurmagomedov says Tony Ferguson's mouth makes him 'want to break his face'

Russell Ess - December 26, 2016

Many fans are awaiting the official announcement of Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov’s next fight in the UFC as the #1 ranked UFC lightweight is so close to getting a shot to fight for the title.

top ufc lightweight
Tony Ferguson

Nurmagomedov manager: reports of finalized UFC 209 bout with Ferguson "100% not true"

Tom Taylor - December 26, 2016

November was an incredible month for the UFC lightweight division. The most important moment of the month, of course, was Conor McGregor’s title-winning destruction of Eddie Alvarez. That said, the month also included huge wins from top contenders Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who defeated top-flight foes in Rafael Dos Anjos and Michael Johnson respectively. Under normal circumstances, McGregor would now have his sights set on a defense against either Ferguson or Nurmagomedov – though it’s difficult to say who of these two talents deserves the opportunity more. Instead, however, the Irish champion is taking a break from competition to start a family with longtime girlfriend Dee Devlin. While McGregor takes this paternity leave, Ferguson, Nurmagomedov, and the lightweight division’s other contenders have been left to squabble amongst themselves while they wait for their absentee champion to return.

Conor McGregor belts
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dana White drops bombshell regarding Conor McGregor's first potential title defense

bjpenndotcom - December 23, 2016

Since Conor McGregor won the UFC lightweight championship by TKOing Eddie Alvarez in the main event of UFC 205 back in November, there has been much talk regarding who McGregor will face next as he will have to defend his lightweight title. With that being said, McGregor revealed at the UFC 205 post-fight press conference that he will be taking some time off due to the upcoming birth of his firstborn child in May. That was followed up by a statement from UFC President Dana White, who stated that McGregor would be taking 10 months off from fighting. That was refuted by McGregor this week, who revealed that his ‘break’ could very well just be a Christmas break.

Jose Aldo
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Jose Aldo gives update on interim lightweight title fight

bjpenndotcom - December 22, 2016

Earlier this month, recently promoted UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo revealed that not only was he going to be moving up to lightweight, he would be competing for the interim featherweight championship. While this is likely due to Aldo’s desire to avenge his 13 second KO loss to Conor McGregor, it was also revealed this week that Max Holloway would be sidelined until April or May with an ankle injury, forcing him out of his scheduled UFC 208 title fight with Aldo.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov sends stern message to Jose Aldo

bjpenndotcom - December 21, 2016

Lightweight #1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to get one last fight in between now and May 27th, when he begins to take time off from training for Ramadan. While after UFC 205 all signs pointed to Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson fighting for the chance to challenge Conor McGregor for the lightweight championship, Nurmagomedov revealed recently that a fight between the pair was not only nearly official, it would be for the interim lightweight title. Unfortunately however, Ferguson revealed on Twitter this week that he plans to hold out for more money.

Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson plans to holdout for more money from UFC

bjpenndotcom - December 20, 2016

Top ranked UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson possesses arguably one of the most impressive win streaks in the UFC today. With nine straight wins, which include six finishes, and a recent unanimous decision win over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, Ferguson is poised for a lightweight title shot. While UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor may have dropped a major hint recently that he could be returning to the Octagon much sooner than UFC President Dana White expected, there has been no official word on when the ‘champ champ’ will return to the cage. With that being said, Ferguson and lightweight #1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov have continued to trade barbs on social media. While both men maintain that the ball is in the other’s court, Ferguson has now taken to social media to reveal that he plans to hold out on to get a better contract from the UFC.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov explains incident shutting up a drunken American looking for trouble

Russell Ess - December 20, 2016

Many people tend to get a little bit bolder when they have some liquid courage in them. We’ve seen countless videos on the Internet of drunken everyday folks test who want to test their combat skills against bouncers and sometimes trained fighters who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

top ufc lightweight
Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for interim title reportedly nearly finalized

bjpenndotcom - December 16, 2016

While top ranked lightweight contenders Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have continued to trade verbal blows via social media, there have been no updates regarding the negotiations for the pair to fight. Earlier this week, Nurmagomedov took to social media to reveal that he had already accepted his next fight, but was simply waiting on his opponent, who remained nameless, to sign the agreement. That was followed up by a social media post from Ferguson, who took to Twitter with a message of his own for Nurmagomedov, in which he stated that he agreed to the fight, however the UFC and Nurmagomedov needed to agree on terms for the fight.

top ufc lightweight
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson rips Khabib Nurmagomedov & his 'padded record'

bjpenndotcom - December 14, 2016

Top ranked UFC lightweights Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have fought the best of the best in the UFC’s lightweight division, but have never fought one another. When the pair were set to square off earlier this year in Nurmagomedov’s highly anticipated Octagon debut, Ferguson was forced out of the fight with an injury, and was replaced by Darrell Horcher on short notice. Nurmagomedov won the fight in dominant fashion, earning himself a second round TKO win. Following that, Ferguson returned from his injury and picked up a unanimous decision win over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos to cement his place at the top of the UFC’s lightweight division. Most recently, Nurmagomedov picked up a dominant submission win over Michael Johnson at UFC 205, to cement his place as the lightweight #1 contender.

top ufc lightweight
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson says he has accepted fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov

Russell Ess - December 13, 2016

The clash between the top two UFC lightweights looks like it just on the verge of being finalized. #1 ranked UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov and #2 ranked UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson have been in a social media war and things seem to be on track for a lightweight title eliminator fight.

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov accepts next fight, waiting on opponent's agreement

bjpenndotcom - December 13, 2016

UFC lightweight #1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov has been on a tear of the UFC’s lightweight division since making his return to the Octagon earlier this year. Prior to being sidelined with injuries for two years, ‘The Eagle’ racked up six straight wins in the UFC to extend his undefeated record to 22-0. In April of this year, Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon where he fought Darrell Horcher, earning himself a second round TKO win. Most recently, Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon at the UFC’s historic UFC 205 event in November, where he picked up a dominant third round submission win after landing brutal ground & pound shots on Michael Johnson over the course of the first two rounds.

top ufc lightweight
Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson rip at one another on social media

Russell Ess - December 12, 2016

The lightweight title picture is focusing in on the top two ranked lightweights all aiming for that shot at newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor. UFC President Dana White has stated that “The Notorious” is taking 10 months off from fighting for the birth of his first child, which is due in the summer of 2017. This leaves more than enough time for #1 UFC ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov and #2 ranked lightweight Tony Ferguson to finally settle their differences inside of the Octagon.

Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson wants to coach TUF against Khabib Nurmagomedov, then fight him for the interim title

Tom Taylor - December 12, 2016

Last month, in the main event of UFC 205, Irish superstar Conor McGregor knocked out Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC lightweight champion. Following the win, the Irishman reaffirmed his intention to take some time off to start a family with long-time girlfriend Dee Devlin. McGregor’s hiatus from competition, of course, leaves the lightweight division’s many contenders in a bit of an undesirable spot, without a champion to gun for. The champ’s absence is undoubtedly most frustrating for Tony Ferguson, who is currently on a nine-fight win-streak, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who boasts a flawless, 24-0 record. Both men have done pretty much all their is to do to earn a lightweight title shot, but without an active champ, neither can have one.