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Jose Aldo might be getting some company soon.
Last week the UFC announced that Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor would headline UFC 205 in New York and the decision, while widely applauded by fans, was decried but some of the more established fighters in the organization. Former longtime featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo was furious about the being refused a McGregor rematch again and has since made statements suggesting that he will retire from MMA because of the way the UFC has treated him.
And now, number one lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is echoing Aldo's sentiments.Speaking with our own Luke Thomas on The Luke Thomas Show, Nurmagomedov vented his frustrations with the UFC's decision and said that if he doesn't get a title shot after his UFC 205 fight with Michael Johnson, he will also be leaving the promotion.
"I'm a little bit upset because I already had two contracts to fight for the title at 205 and UFC 206. I signed both of them and after that the UFC makes this bullshit decision. I'm a little bit upset but it's okay. Sometimes shit happens, you know...
"After this fight I have to fight for the title. UFC thinks Conor has power? Irish people only like 6 million people. I am from Russia. 150 million people. If UFC don't give me the title fight after this fight, I'm going to show how I have power in Russia. I know if I don't fight for the title next fight, UFC will never, ever go to Russia."
Before the new 205 main event was announced, Nurmagomedov was active on social media, saying that the UFC had offered him several fights with Alvarez but that Alvarez was refusing to sign to fight him, something which Dana White confirmed on Twitter. But Alvarez had been angling for a fight with McGregor since winning the title and seemingly held out until he got the fight he wanted, something Nurmagomedov puts down to fear.
"UFC said 'you're going to fight 27, August in Canada against Eddie.' I said ‘yes, I take this fight,' but Eddie does not take this fight. After this UFC gives me UFC 205, Eddie say no. After UFC gave me 206, Eddie say no. And now these guys make this bullshit fight...
"Eddie understands who is who. Eddie and Eddie's coaches, everybody know 'this a very tough fight for me.' That's why he don't take this fight. He even said 'I want an easy fight'. You're champion. UFC champion. You're supposed to fight number one ranked, and number one ranked is not easy. For me, it's a crazy situation. But it's ok. Life is going and I'm going to keep going and I'm going to finish Michael Johnson at UFC 205 and after this I want to fight for the title."
Nurmagomedov didn't have to accept the fight with Johnson at 205. He could have sat on the sidelines and waited for his title shot a la Tyron Woodley. But instead, Nurmagomedov is trying to make the best of this situation, despite feeling like the UFC disrespected him. But if he doesn't get what he feels he deserves, Nurmagomedov says he's going to show that Conor McGregor isn't the only fighter with power in the UFC.
"I'd rather take this fight [with Johnson] because [Alvarez] signed with the UFC bullshit contract because he understands if he takes fight with me, his belt is going bye-bye. That's why both of them take this fight. And Dana a little bit played games and used my name. I never forget this.
"If I don't fight, I'm gonna show how I have power in Russia. And UFC, I don't fight in UFC ever and UFC never, ever go to the Russia. UFC think Conor have power. I have power too. This is not all about pay-per-view. I have power too. I'm gonna show this power."
We may well get to see Nurmagomedov's threat put to the test. Raphael dos Anjos fights Tony Ferguson on November 5th in what appears to be a number one contender bout. If Ferguson wins, it's very hard to imagine Nurmagomedov getting a title shot before him. If Nurmagomedov really does walk away from the UFC, that would be two of the top pound for pound fighters in the world the organization would lose in one calendar year, entirely due to their business practices. But Nurmagomedov doesn't foresee this happening because he intends to put an end to these "bullshit" money fights.
"All my life there's only one rule: best fighting the best. Now it's a little bit changed and I'm a little bit upset but it's okay. Very soon, young and very hungry Eagle is going to change these rules."
Khabib Nurmagomedov fights Michael Johnson at UFC 205 on November 12th.
MUST-READ STORIES
Pinocchio. Joanna Jedrzejczyk called Karolina Kowalkiewicz a "fake person."
Technically, yes. Jason Parillo says Michael Bisping is "peaking" as a fighter at 37 years old.
Don't take his jobs. Jason High doesn't believe Roy Nelson shouldn't lose his job over Jon McCarthy kick.
DV accusations. Michael Graves' fiancée told police that Graves punched and elbowed her in the head.
EXTRA CREDIT READING
Teflon Dan. Jordan Breen discusses Dan Henderson and his ability to remain a fan favorite all the time.
MEDIA STEW
Embedded.
At the 3:50 mark Kieth Jardine gets a shout out.
205 Fan promo.
A look into Belfort-Mousasi
Dana kiboshing Mayweather-McGregor nonsense.
LISTEN UP
Fights Gone By
Anik and Flo
TWEETS
Dana says Pena has been turning down fights.
@PhoenixFitnessK @MMAFighting @UFCEurope @ufc @seanshelby @VenezuelanVixen @Amanda_Leoa not turn down fights she's offered
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 4, 2016
Respect.
I publicly posted false info about @NathanMarquardt & would also like 2 publicly apologize. He addressed me as a man & I respect that!
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) October 4, 2016
Wonderful representative to have on your roster.
@kokid951 you and @smilensam should just suck each other's dicks and make gay porn. Might take less losses #dumbasses
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 4, 2016
@PlatinumPerry @kokid951 wow gay jokes? @danawhite probably would think that Was uncalled for. Just wish your teammate luck for me
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) October 4, 2016
@smilensam I told you to keep your luck. I don't need it. Welcome to the real world. Stop talkin to me
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 4, 2016
A week later and that gash is damn near gone.
Hahahahaha.
Cyborg is relentless.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mirsad Bektic (10-0-0) vs. Russell Doane (14-6-0); UFC 204, October 8.
Chris Avila (5-3-0) vs. Enrique Barzola (11-3-1); UFC Fight Night 98, November 5.
Enrique Briones (16-5-1) vs. Douglas Andrade (23-1-0); UFC Fight Night 98, November 5.
Sergio Moraes (10-2-1) vs. Zak Ottow (14-4-0); UFC Fight Night 100, November 19.
Warlley Alves (10-1-0) vs. Kamaru Usman (8-1-0); UFC Fight Night 100, November 19.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2012: Antonio Silva knocked out Travis Browne in the main event of UFC on FX 5. This card also featured a flyweight title eliminator bout between John Dodson and Jussier Formiga which Dodson won by TKO in the second round.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Khabib Who Wrestles Bears vs. Jose Aldo for the inaugural Rizin light-featherweight championship. I'm so down.
Oh, and Khabib is ranked above RDA in the lightweight rankings but isn't on the p4p list while RDA remains on it. Just to show you the logical consistency of those things.
Be easy y'all.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.
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