Khabib confirms fight negotiations with McGregor have opened
Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that the UFC is working on sorting a fight out between himself and Conor McGregor.
McGregor has not been in UFC action for almost two years and was stripped of his lightweight title as a result of his inactivity – a move which ultimately has seen Nurmagomedov claim the vacant 155 lbs championship.
Speaking on a live stream via social media platform ‘Live Raise‘, Khabib admitted his first title defence is coming soon but while the opponent is not yet decided, McGregor is the leading option.
The lightweight champion said:
Very soon, I’m going to come to the USA to begin my training camp. When the UFC give me a fight, I’m going to come to California and I’m going to stay there with my family nine weeks before the fight.
I’m going to defend my title Inshallah (god willing) this year. This year, I want to defend my title.
About opponents, I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t know. But the UFC is working on a fight, me versus Conor. If they give (me) Conor, I’m going to fight.
If the two fighters do meet this year, it is expected to be at UFC 229 which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on October 6th.
However, nothing can be confirmed by the UFC until McGregor’s ongoing court case is over. The Dublin native is expected back in court on July 26th with his legal team preparing for a plea deal.