As indicated on the UFC 223 official poster, Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov will be fighting for the “world lightweight title.” At the same time, the UFC has yet to officially confirm that Conor McGregor will indeed be stripped of the undisputed 155-pound belt.
Khabib, however, is certain that he will be fighting “El Cucuy” for the undisputed title, simply because it was indicated in his contract.
“We’re gonna fight for his belt,” Khabib told TMZ Sports. “The UFC will strip his belt, and now we’re gonna fight for the real belt.”
“100%,” Khabib answered when asked if he thinks McGregor would end up being stripped of the title. “I have a contract, like, real belt. What are they gonna do? They only have one real belt. They have the interim belt, and they have the real belt.”
“They sent me the contract. We’re gonna fight Tony Ferguson for the real belt. They (can) strip McGregor’s belt or not, (but) I have a contract. Real belt.”
Previous reports claim that a mega-fight between Khabib and McGregor was being targeted to take place in Russia. “The Eagle,” however, does not see that happening.
“When was the last time Conor competed in MMA? I forget about this,” Khabib said. “He’s a boxing guy now. He’s (better off) to stay in boxing, because you have to compete in MMA, like wrestling, grappling, conditioning (for) 25 minutes, it’s different.”
“When (is he coming back)?” he continued. “They’re talking about (another) Floyd Mayweather fight. I don’t know, I don’t think he’s gonna come back.”
UFC 223 will take place on April 7th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
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