Khabib Nurmagomedov starts camp despite no opponent, welcomes Michael Chiesa if Tony Ferguson not game

Top UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov is still aiming for an appearance at UFC 209, and if Tony Ferguson isn’t willing to stand on the other side of the cage, “The Eagle” is looking for other opportunities.

Nurmagomedov today took to social media today to reveal he’s starting camp at California’s famed American Kickboxing Academy in preparation for a fight at the March 4 event in Las Vegas – exactly eight weeks from today.

The only problem, of course, is that Nurmagomedov doesn’t have an opponent just yet.

UFC President Dana White recently revealed the promotion had hoped to put together an interim title fight between Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, but “El Cucuy” is currently demanding more money, putting a halt to that contest. Nurmagomedov then countered by offering up $200,000 of his own money in hopes Ferguson would accept the contest.

Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz – who previously offered a deadline to Ferguson but later deleted the message – said his client is still interested in the matchup but that he can’t delay his own career while waiting on Ferguson to come to terms with the promotion.

“We want Ferguson,” Abdelaziz said. “He deserves it, but we can’t negotiate a deal for him. We even offered Ferguson money. Khabib was that generous, but it is what is.

“I hope they get a deal done. I want to see Khabib against Ferguson, but it’s up to them. As long as it’s for a piece of gold, we’ll face any 155-pounder on the planet. We want a ranked guy. Maybe Michael Chiesa would make sense. We’ll see.”

Nurmagomedov is currently ranked No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings. Ferguson checks in at No. 3, while Chiesa sits at No. 9.

Chiesa’s camp declined to comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.

UFC 209 currently doesn’t have a main event. The card takes place at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena and airs on pay-per-view. Current UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor hasn’t announced when he’ll next fight, currently sitting out while his longtime girlfriend is pregnant.

For more on the UFC’s schedule, including UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.