As Jose Aldo and Nate Diaz became names known by the regular Irish sporting fan, Khabib Nurmagomedov looks set to join those ranks.
The Russian is the number one-ranked fighter in the lightweight division and has his eyes set on a bout with Conor McGregor sooner rather than later. As the Dubliner looks set to take a leave of absence from the octagon, due to the upcoming birth of his first child, Nurmagomedov has his eyes set on Tony Ferguson.
Ferguson is the number two-ranked lightweight, and the winner of the potential fight, looks next in line to face McGregor. Negotiations have been far from easy to get the fight made, so 'The Eagle' decided to take matters into his own hands, offering his own money to Ferguson to take the fight.
Hey @TonyFergusonXT if the @ufc don't want to pay you I'll pay you 200k extra on your purse let's make this fight now you have no excuse
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 2, 2017
The American wants an equal share of the purse from a potential fight, which is something UFC President Dana White has already ruled out. That stance has frustrated both fighters.
"You’ve got Khabib f**king offering $200,000 to fight me", Ferguson told The MMA Hour. "I’m not going to take his money because we work for the same kind of thing... I would offer the same thing. But that’s not what I’m in here for, man. Honestly, we’re both two of the same kind of fighters because we fight for something different. The UFC has a chance to make the most money out of everyone right now."
"They’re looking at the hugest, biggest demographic in Russia. Well let us fight, man. I’m trying to build my demographic too. Let me work for you guys. Let me work for you guys the way that I have been working, but compensate me the way that I need to be compensated."
Even without McGregor, the drama of the division revolves around the Dubliner.
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