Khabib devalues ​​McGregor's title: 'Gift from Uncle Dana'

K.Nurmagomedov provoked McGregor (PHOTO: Brandon Magnus/Getty Images)

Khabib Nurmagomedov rejected the notion that his fight against Tony Ferguson, at UFC 209, this Saturday (4), whether just for the interim lightweight title. For the Russian, the duel is worth the “real” title of the category, as he does not recognize Conor McGregor as de facto champion of the division. The Irishman won the straight title at UFC 205 by beating Eddie Alvarez in the main fight of the historic event.

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However, Nurmagomedov had a problem with the way Conor got the chance to face Alvarez, then holder of the belt. This is because McGregor had not had any fights at lightweight, having won the featherweight belt and then had two fights at 77 kg. against Nate diaz.

“It’s 100%, this is the real fight for the title. You know that Uncle Dana (White, UFC president) let Conor skip all the challengers and fight for the belt. I don't understand this fight, I don't think about him. This is a real fight, one of the biggest. I don't think about other guys. I should fight for the title at UFC 205. I know I didn't fight for the belt before because of my mistakes. I had surgery. But at UFC 205, 'Uncle Dana' gave it to him as a gift. Why didn't I fight for the title? Because it’s business, that was the money fight”, commented Khabib, during promotional events before UFC 209.

Nurmagomedov is currently number one in the UFC lightweight rankings. In the company, he has eight fights and eight wins and his MMA record is undefeated, with 24 wins. Among the Russian's main achievements are victories over the Brazilians Thiago tavares, Gleison Tibau and Rafael Dos Anjos, the latter former champion of the category.

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