Khabib Nurmagomedov crashes UFC 181, press conference, champ Pettis open to fight

Khabib Nurmagomedov

LAS VEGAS – Undefeated UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov continued his campaign for a title shot, talking up a potential fight with Anthony Pettis following the champ’s dominant win over Gilbert Melendez at tonight’s UFC 181.

Nurmagomedov (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) told MMAjunkie backstage he is ready for Pettis (18-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in April or May, a slightly longer timeframe than he originally anticipated for his return following a knee injury that scrapped him earlier this year from a fight with Donald Cerrone.

“Nobody had finished Meldendez before, and now, the UFC needs to give me my title shot,” Nurmagomedov said. “Benson Henderson lost, Eddie Alvarez lost, Pettis beat Donald Cerrone, Pettis beat Melendez, (and) I beat my last (opponent), Rafael dos Anjos.

“I am No. 1 contender right now. My doctor said I can fight in April or May. Let’s go. Anytime, anywhere in April, May or June.”

Nurmagomedov might have been surprised, though, to find Pettis isn’t an obstacle to his wish. The champ said he is willing to take on the Russian fighter.

“If they want it next, give him a shot,” Pettis said at the post-event press conference for tonight’s pay-per-view card at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center. “I’m ready. I’m injury-free; I feel good. You guys saw what I did to Gilbert Melendez. Let’s do it.”

Despite the affirmative message, Nurmagomedov interjected, perhaps anticipating a negative answer. He questioned Pettis on why he hasn’t been granted a title shot.

“I just said yeah, man,” Pettis responded. “Does he speak English? I just said yeah. Oh, OK. We’ll if you’re ready in May, I’m ready now.”

Nurmagomedov took several opportunities to poke at the champion as he recovered from a knee injury suffered prior to his title-winning fight against Benson Henderson in August 2013. As Pettis sat on the bench, the Dagestan-born fighter further extended his unbeaten streak, outpointing Pat Healy and Rafael dos Anjos to improve to 22-0. He has won six straight UFC fights.

At times, however, it’s appeared as though Nurmagomedov would be passed over for a title shot. A lesser-known fighter with a grinding style, he provided a stark contrast to Nate Diaz, whom Pettis engaged with during his layoff.

Diaz returns from his own time away from the sport courtesy of a contractual dispute with the UFC. He meets dos Anjos next week at UFC on FOX 13.

Backstage, Nurmagomedov seemed cognizant of the fact that Diaz is a direct threat to his title aspirations. He pointed out Diaz’s recent record of 1-2 and said dos Anjos is the next contender in line after him.

“You know this,” he said. “Everybody knows this. I deserve my title shot. Why doesn’t Dana White say anything about this?”

White wasn’t present at the post-event press conference. But if he had been, he might have gotten an earful. Asked how a fight with Pettis would go down, Nurmagomedov said he would do what Melendez (22-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) couldn’t.

The former Strikeforce champion bullied Pettis early on, but couldn’t keep the fight on the mat and took punches closing the distance. After landing a hard combination, Pettis seized Melendez’s exposed neck and secured a fight-ending guillotine choke in the second round.

“You saw Gilbert Melendez take him down a lot of times,” Nurmagomedov offered. “I think my wrestling and Gilbert’s wrestling is another level. My wrestling is good. I think my top control and aggresiveness is good, but Anthony is not bad. His kicks and his boxing, everything is OK. But I’m not bad, too.

“In 2015, the UFC will have an undisputed and undefeated lightweight champion.”

For more on UFC 181, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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MMAjunkie’s Ben Fowlkes breaks down Saturday’s co-main event between Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez:

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