Manager: After Khabib Nurmagomedov 'kills' Tony Ferguson, we're going for big cobra Conor McGregor

Khabib Nurmagomedov is not yet confirmed to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 209, his manager on Monday told MMAjunkie Radio.

“Of course not,” said Ali Abdelaziz, shooting down a report from a Russian website that stated an interim title will be put on the line for the March 4 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas.

The manager said the main thing holding up a potential fight is Ferguson’s career: It’s on hold as an impasse over money plays out with the UFC.

“I hope this thing comes together,” Abdelaziz said. “They don’t have peace right now. I support Tony Ferguson.”

Nurmagomedov (24-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, recently told a Russian TV station (via BloodyElbow.com) that he’s verbally agreed to the bout and awaits Ferguson’s answer, saying his fellow surging lightweight talks too much and “I want to break his face.”

Ferguson (22-3 MMA, 12-1 UFC) earlier this month indicated he is seeking “fair terms” for his next contract and chided his potential opponent for getting in the middle – the latest in a sporadic and long-running verbal battle between the potential opponents.

One opponent Nurmagomedov is not motivated to fight, according to Abdelaziz, is featherweight champion Jose Aldo (26-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who recently put his name into headlines by indicating he turned down a fight. After “The Eagle” said he didn’t want to “bully the little,” the manager confirmed an offer to fight the recently re-crowned champ, but said it wasn’t taken seriously.

“What does Khabib have to gain from fighting Aldo? Zero,” he said. “But what happens now is that Aldo has it in his head that he has nothing to lose. If he beats Khabib, then he can fight (lightweight champ Conor McGregor). I’ll put money on it: Conor will never fight Aldo again.

“If Khabib fights Aldo and beats Aldo in 16 seconds, Conor will say, ‘Yeah, I beat him in 13 seconds.’ It will give Conor ammunition to run away from Khabib even more.”

So that leaves Nurmagomedov in a little bit of a holding pattern. But that’s nothing new for the undefeated Dagestan-born fighter, whose climb up the ranks has been marred by several injuries and difficulties booking fights.

Nurmagomedov, however, will not divert his attention to chase a fight with McGregor, whom he’s repeatedly called out. Abdelaziz speculated the lightweight champ has his eyes set on another division, having nothing to lose in the event of a setback.

“Let me make a prediction: McGregor’s next fight is going to be Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title,” Abdelaziz said. “This is the fight that’s going to happen. Every sign is this is going to happen.”

Exactly how and when it happens is something that Nurmagomedov could have a say in, if Abdelaziz’s prediction comes true. If negotiations to fight for the welterweight belt don’t come at the right price, he said, his client could again be used as leverage. He called UFC President Dana White’s recent dismissal of a welterweight rematch with Nate Diaz “a negotiating tactic.”

“Now, when Conor fights Woodley, (his management goes), maybe I won’t ask for this much money because (the UFC says) that’s OK, Khabib is ready to fight,” he said. “Now, Khabib has become the boogeyman the UFC uses for leverage in negotiations. I’m OK with that.”

Nurmagomedov reportedly received two bout agreements to fight now-former champ Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, only to see the title shot go to McGregor. Nurmagomedov was paid handsomely for his time, but he scolded the promotion to bring real opportunities the next time out.

It’s not just about the money for “The Eagle,” who Abdelaziz said could retire today and be set for the rest of his life.

“Khabib fights for legacy – not for money,” the manager said. “That’s what makes fighters so good, when you fight for legacy. When you start fighting for money, it can end very, very bad for you.”

As for Ferguson’s quest to get more money, Abdelaziz doesn’t fault the fighter for trying. But he thinks the surging lightweight plays into Nurmagomedov’s longterm plans.

“If he kills Tony, that’s it,” Abdelaziz said. “After that, we’re going for the head of the snake, the big cobra, Conor.”

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

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