Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0) is a possible option for Tony Ferguson, Floyd Mayweather or Conor McGregor as tune-up opponent before they face each other in a rematch.
Speaking about next fight, Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz said the Russian champion wanted $50 million to fight either of those guys.
“Ben Askren, [Tyron] Woodley, none of those guys can touch Khabib especially if they can and they get tired. And these guys, they get tired.” Abdelaziz said.
“Currently, I am not even concerned about Tyron and Ben Askren. What I’m worried about someone bringing $50 to $100 million to the table. None of them can bring $200,000 to the table.” Abdelaziz added.
For his fight against Nurmagomedov in the final of UFC 229, which he lost by submission, McGregor received a base salary of $3 million, but he reportedly got a total remuneration of about $50 million after receiving a percentage of the gala sales on pay-per-view.
Meanwhile Numagomedov’s base salary was $2 million, to which was added a percentage of pay-per-view revenues considerably lower than that of McGregor.
Nurmagomedov’s agent now claims that his client deserves as much as McGregor for his fight, even if it means holding a rematch.
“We discuss business but the other guy [McGregor] said he made $50 million. I think as a global superstar, Khabib surpassed him.” Abdelaziz said.
“You have a guy meeting with Putin, Erdogan [President of Turkey]. And, the other guy is selling liquor on the corner store. It’s not even in the same planet.” Abdelaziz added.
Will Conor McGregor get his second fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov? (Source:www.dailyexpress.co.uk)
Abdelaziz added Nurmagomedov might earn big money than in a rematch with McGregor, opened the door for a potential second fight with the Irishman.
“At the end of the day, maybe a whole bunch of money gets on the table maybe there’s a rematch – I don’t know, maybe we’ll give a rematch to the guy we just killed.” Abdelaziz said.
“One thing I really regret in this fight, Khabib did carry him for four rounds, I really want to see McGregor drink his own blood.” He added.
The 41-year-old man said Khabib doesn’t need to get back in the octagon but at this point it’s all about cashing in. But the lightweight champion wants to have a great impact on the world.