Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is far from pleased with the current situation in the division he once rules. “The Eagle” retired from MMA back in October 2020 when he defeated Justin Gaethje.
The Russian vacated the belt which was conquered by Brazil’s Charles Oliveira. Still, the hottest name in the division is Islam Makhachev, but the Dagestani native is yet to get a title shot. Even though he is undefeated in 10 consecutive fights.
Nurmagomedov is now coaching and helping Islam in his world title bid, but according to Khaib, the man who calls the shots in UFC is not responding to him. That, of course, being Dana White.
“Honestly, this is first time since we started talking to each other that [White] don’t respond to me,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN.
“I sent him a message saying: ‘No way someone else can fight for the title, Islam has to be there.’
“He don’t respond. I think he’s busy maybe. It’s okay, everybody makes mistakes,” Nurmagomedov joked.
Makhachev has been tipped to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title next time out, though the Russian could instead fight Beneil Dariush in a rearranged bout after that contest fell through in February. Bobby Green stepped in for Dariush and lost via first-round TKO.
