Khabib Nurmagomedov: Title shot vs. Anthony Pettis would be 'easy money'
Khabib Nurmagomedov obviously wants a title shot, just like any UFC fighter would. But the Dagestani's interest in fighting Anthony Pettis has become personal.
Nurmagomedov is annoyed that Pettis doesn't know how to pronounce his name and keeps saying it wrong in interviews. When he recovers from knee surgery, the undefeated Nurmagomedov expects to be the No. 1 contender for Pettis' lightweight belt.
"This is no good," Nurmagomedov told UFC Tonight's Ariel Helwani. "He does not know how to say my name. Next year, he will know how."
The American Kickboxing Academy product and sambo standout doesn't seem to respect the champion's game much, either.
"Anthony Pettis is easy money," Nurmagomedov said. "No good wrestling. No good defense."
Nurmagomedov (22-0) was doing his own rehab in Russia and paying for the entire thing until the UFC found out recently. The organization flew him to Los Angeles to see the same doctor that took care of surgeries for Georges St-Pierre and Conor McGregor and is now footing the bill for everything. The UFC is also putting him up in an apartment in Las Vegas, where he will continue his rehab for the next five months.
The 25-year-old is targeting a February return to the Octagon. He feels like he should get the winner of the lightweight title fight between Pettis and Gilbert Melendez at UFC 181 on Dec. 6. Nurmagomedov is ranked No. 2 among 155-pound contenders.
The case he's making is simple. No. 3 Rafael dos Anjos beat both No. 4 Benson Henderson and No. 5 Donald Cerrone. Nurmagomedov defeated dos Anjos.
Nurmagomedov thinks Cerrone will beat Eddie Alvarez at UFC 178 on Sept. 27 and is fine with fighting Cerrone if he can't get a title shot upon his return. Nurmagomedov-Cerrone was supposed to happen twice, but Nurmagomedov couldn’t fight either time, first because of Ramadan in July and then because of the knee injury in September.
"I want to smash him in the Octagon," Nurmagomedov said.
