Khabib Nurmagomedov not interested in $100 million payday to rematch Conor McGregor
All signs point to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor fighting again later this year. But, the undefeated Dagestani champion is not interested in it.
Ali Abdelaziz, who manages Nurmagomedov, recently came out and said Saudi Arabia is interested in hosting the fight and willing to pay $100 million. Yet, for the Dagestani champ, he says he doesn’t need that kind of money and says it’s not rational to pay him that much to beat up the ‘idiot’ again.
“Why do I need that kind of money?” Nurmagomedov asked reporters during a press conference in Russia (via MMA Junkie). “There are so many organizations. For example, there’s not only football for the blind, there’s sambo and other sports. Let [the UFC] give it to them if they don’t know what to do with the money. But giving me $100 million for me to beat up that idiot again? I don’t think that’s rational.”
Before the rematch can take place, Khabib Nurmagomedov will need to beat Tony Ferguson which is easier said than done. But, if he does get his hand raised he isn’t sure what will be next for him.
“I have a fight on April 18 – a very serious fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “For the past month and a half, I’ve been consistently training day and night. I’ve gotten myself in good shape to where I’m supposed to be 70 days before a fight. I feel great.
“What’ll happen after the fight, no one knows. I don’t worry about it. That’s what [the UFC] want. I’m surprised that people even question me about a rematch. It seems that people want to continue the festivities after that fight.
“Everyone saw what happened in the Octagon [against McGregor],” Nurmagomedov concluded. “I controlled the fight every step of the way. I did everything I wanted to him. He even gave up. How can we even discuss a rematch? We can only talk about continuing the festivities and making money. The question is, do I want that? I am focused on Tony Ferguson.”
