/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63013576/304_Khabib_Nurmagomedov_vs_Conor_McGregor.0.jpg)
Last week, the Nevada Athletic Commission finally handed down their suspensions for the post-fight brawl that erupted at UFC 229 when Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the fence and launched himself into the crowd to attack Conor McGregor’s fight team. For inciting the brawl, Nurmagomedov was fined $500,000 and suspended for nine months, retroactive to October 6. He also has the option to reduce his suspension by up to three months upon participation in an anti-bullying public service announcement approved by the NAC. That means the UFC lightweight champion could be back in action as early as April 6, but don’t count on it.
Unhappy with how the NAC handled the entire situation and with their determination to suspend his teammates, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, for one year for their involvement in the brawl, Nurmagomedov has declared he will stand in solidarity with his teammates and won’t fight until both of their suspensions are up. (Khabib has also said he will pay for the $25,000 fines levied on both Tukhugov and Nurmagomedov). That means Khabib is planning to sit in self-imposed exile until the end of next year, which would once against put the most stacked division in the UFC on hold.
Fortunately, Khabib has a plan.
Speaking with the Russian outlet Sportbox (translation via RT Sport), Nurmagomedov said he believes the UFC will create an interim lightweight title while he is on the shelf, and that Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier will fight for it. Then, when he comes back at the end of the year, Khabib will defend his “real” title against the winner of the interim belt.
“I think that they will create an interim title,” Khabib said. “It could be between Poirier and Ferguson. Whoever wins will become the interim champion, and then at the end of the year we will fight for the real belt.
“I think that could happen. At the moment I don’t know for sure.”
It’s not a bad plan. Both Ferguson and Poirier are deserving of title shots and the only reason they haven’t gotten them yet is because the lightweight division was held in a holding pattern for the last couple of years with McGregor’s abdication to boxing and the ongoing saga of Ferguson and Nurmagomedov. An interim title fight would give clarity to the top of the 155 pound division and set up one of the biggest fights of the year, which would go perfectly with Khabib’s plan to return in November for the annual Madison Square Garden Pay-Per-View.
The only person left out of this is the man Nurmagomedov beat most recently, Conor McGregor. Fortunately, McGregor seems to already have an opponent lined up next in Donald Cerrone. Maybe he can get winners after that.
MUST-READ STORIES
Ugh. Henry Cejudo says Dana White wants T.J. Dillashaw rematch.
115. Joanna Jedrzejczyk reveals timeline for return, plans to move back to strawweight.
Scary. 51-fight veteran Wanderlei Silva reveals he has several concussion-like symptoms.
Illusion. Paul Daley promises to dispel Michael Page ‘illusion’ during heated London presser.
Cannon fodder. Jose Torres says UFC fighters are ‘just meat to the wolves’.
VIDEO STEW
The A Side Live Chat.
Izzy with the pro-wrestling workout.
Staredowns.
Embedded 3.
Darren Till interview.
KSW is insane and awesome.
LISTEN UP
Heavy Hands. Previewing UFC 234, or at least, the top two fights.
Bushido Talk. Discussing UFC 234 and Ali’s crazy conspiracy theory.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Agreed.
This is Numba One ___________ !!! https://t.co/2K3RdjBHEE
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) February 7, 2019
Call out.
@DustinPoirier just sign the contract youbarent going to hold out. It’s me or no one
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 7, 2019
Now there’s an idea.
Let’s do this already @BellatorMMA https://t.co/IjmlLJEXU4
— Julia Budd (@JuliaBudd) February 6, 2019
Let’s do this @BellatorMMA @rizin_PR @ScottCoker @nobu_sakakibara anytime
— Gabi Garcia (@gabijiu) February 7, 2019
Russian boxing federation has made Khabib an offer for this summer.
“Grappling with fat boy”
T-Wood still mad people don’t like his derivative, bad song.
Straight ass
— Jarred Brooks (@The_monkeygod) February 3, 2019
Like your fights style
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) February 6, 2019
@TWooodley hey dog good luck . And you couldn’t have thought that was good tho t wood
— Jarred Brooks (@The_monkeygod) February 6, 2019
Who are you again? https://t.co/MZK9Zbze0H
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) February 7, 2019
I’m the monkey god my guy ! I’m pretty sure you know my name and who I am . One day I dream of getting where you are fighting and if I do I’m going to at least make a track to inspire with that kind of impact you have on people . Which your the champ so...
— Jarred Brooks (@The_monkeygod) February 7, 2019
This is awesome.
I dont know who did this, but thank you #UFC234 pic.twitter.com/xnj0pWQ6B1
— Brandon The Truth (@Brandon_Nocaute) February 6, 2019
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Carlo Pedersoli (11-2) vs. Dwight Grant (8-2); UFC Prague, Feb. 23.
Damir Ismagulov (17-1) vs. Joel Alvarez (15-1); UFC Prague, Feb. 23.
Glover Teixeira (28-7) vs. Ion Cutelaba (14-3, 1 NC); UFC Miami, April 27.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Would you like to see an interim title fight?
This poll is closed
-
38%
Yes, this is a solid plan.
-
22%
No, wait for Tony vs. Khabib.
-
38%
No, strip Khabib and make it for the real belt.
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it! Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, and like us on Facebook!