UFC 209's Khabib Nurmagomedov on Ferguson: 'When the cage closes, I'm going to smash him'

LAS VEGAS – Khabib Nurmagomedov has a grand plan for the future as he readies for his first UFC championship bout.

Nurmagomedov (24-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who fights Tony Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) for the interim lightweight belt in the UFC 209 co-main event, intends on taking the belt, unifying it against undisputed champ Conor McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC), then go on to defend the gold against the next most deserving contender.

“The Eagle” knows the UFC and McGregor would likely want a rematch if he was able to beat “The Notorious,” but Nurmagomedov said that’s not part of his vision.

“This is what I want: A fight with Tony. I’m going to finish him. After (that), finish Conor and the UFC maybe (will) want to make a rematch with Conor. But I say no,” Nurmagomedov told MMAjunkie. “This is a very interesting situation. Finish Tony Ferguson, finish Conor McGregor … at the end of the year, maybe UFC (will) try to make a rematch. But I’ll say, ‘Bye-bye guys.’ He doesn’t deserve this. Then I’ll fight with another real contender.”

UFC 209 takes place March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson airs as the co-main event on the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The bout between Nurmagomedov, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, and No. 3-ranked Ferguson was a trying one to put together for the UFC. “El Cucuy” held out for more money, which at one point Nurmagomedov even offered to pay, but eventually made a deal that met his standards.

Nurmagomedov was adamant that if he couldn’t challenge McGregor for the title, the only alternative he would consider is Ferguson, who is riding a divisional-best nine-fight UFC winning streak. Matchups with the likes of Jose Aldo and Nate Diaz were also rumored, but Nurmagomedov stuck to his guns.

“I need only Tony,” Nurmagomedov said. “I don’t need your small guys like Jose Aldo or other guys. I need real, top-level fighters.’ Because if I beat Jose or I beat Daniel Cormier, people are still talking about Tony Ferguson. That’s why I said, ‘Please give me Tony. I’m going to finish his win streak. Finish him.’ And after that, what happens? No more opponents.”

UFC 209 doesn’t mark the first time a fight between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson has been booked. The UFC has pitted the pair against one another on two previous occasions, but each time one of them suffered an injury and forced a cancellation.

Assuming the fight comes to fruition on the third attempt, Nurmagomedov will have a chance to push his remarkable record to 25-0. Ferguson has made it clear he has the solution to the unsolved puzzle, but Nurmagomedov has other ideas.

“When the cage closes, I’m going to smash him,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m going to make him tired and I want him to feel my power and feel my pressure and finish him – break his face, because this is what I do all my life. I’m fighting in the UFC. I fought before the UFC in Russia, all the time fighting tough fighters. When the cage closes, nothing is personal. I want to just finish guys.”

If Nurmagomedov can successfully claim the interim 155-pound belt, he would seemingly be locked in position for a title unification match with McGregor. However, the Irish titleholder has not committed to anything regarding his next fight and is in the thick of a media whirlwind involving a potential boxing match with fellow combat sports superstar Floyd Mayweather.

Nurmagomedov said he doesn’t care about fighting McGregor, though. Despite the fact McGregor represents the most lucrative financial opportunity in the sport, Nurmagomedov said he simply just wants the championship belt currently under his ownership, and he doesn’t care who has it.

“I don’t think about (McGregor),” Nurmagomedov said. “I think about the real belt. I don’t give a (expletive) about him. Everyone wants to fight him and make money, but this is not my goal. I came to the UFC for fights with high-level fighters, take the belt, become UFC lightweight undisputed and undefeated champion – this is my goal. A lot of people want a fight with him because it’s about money. But it’s OK. I can give him money if he needs money.”

For more on UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.