Khabib Nurmagomedov, the number two ranked UFC Lightweight contender in the world, wants a title shot, and he’s making it clear these days.
During a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Nurmagomedov spoke about how hard he has been working, before outright asking Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta to give him a title shot.
“Now, I’m living in the U.S., and my language isn’t very good, but it’s OK,” he said. “I’m training hard every day. Please, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta, give me my title shot. I deserve it.”
“The Eagle” (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) says he likes being undefeated and promises that if UFC gives him a title shot against Anthony Pettis, they’ll have a new, undefeated champion in their ranks.
“I like being undefeated, and if the UFC gives me a title shot, the UFC has next year an undefeated and undisputed lightweight champion,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m 23-0. I think it’s very good for the UFC.”
After Gilbert Melendez challenges Pettis for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 181 on December 6th, the only contender ahead of Khabib will have fought his title match, meaning he becomes the new number one contender to the champion.
“First is Gilbert Melendez, and I am after him,” he said. “I’m second. Cerrone lost a lot of times in the UFC – Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Rafael Dos Anjos, a lot of guys beat him. Eddie Alvarez lost, and Benson Henderson lost. I think, 100 percent, I am the number one contender.”
Nurmagomedov also said he feels Myles Jury is the clear-cut number two contender in the division, as long as he can get past Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 182 on January 3rd.
“Myles Jury is a very smart guy, but he’s never beaten a guy in the top 10,” Nurmagomedov said. “I think if Myles beats Cerrone, he deserves his title shot next year after me.”
He then went on to officially challenge Anthony Pettis, dropping some strong insults towards the champ in the process.
“It’s a sport and a business, too, and I respect everyone. But I don’t respect Anthony Pettis. He’s [a] champ, but he’s not a true champ. He’s a paper champ and he hasn’t defended his title in one-and-a-half years.”
Nurmagomedov continued, “Before I called out Nate Diaz, [saying] he’s scared, he doesn’t want this fight, it’s a very bad fight for him. Now, I call out Anthony Pettis. I think he’s scared, too, but Anthony and Nate don’t have good wrestling defense. [They] know I’ll smash them.”
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