UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was last seen in action at UFC 229, defeating Conor McGregor via fourth round submission.
Ali Abdelaziz is Nurmagomedov’s manager and he knows how much it would take to get Nurmagomedov to fight again.
“Ben Askren, (Tyron) Woodley – none of these guys can touch Khabib,” Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports. “Especially if they’re scared to get tired – and these guys, they get tired. Now, I’m not even worrying about Tyron or Ben Askren. I’m worrying about somebody bringing $50 million to $100 million to the table. None of these guys can bring $200,000 to the table – I don’t really care what they say. The other guy we just fought, he said he made $50 million. “I think as a global superstar, Khabib bypassed him.”
Nurmagomedov reportedly made a disclosed $2 million for the fight against McGregor, while McGregor made a disclosed sum of $3 million.
Abdelaziz has one major concern right now and that is to do whatever it takes to make Nurmagomedov more money.
“Whatever’s going to bring Khabib money. This is now my job. It’s not Khabib’s job. Khabib created a legacy: 11 years, 27 fights. Right now, money talks, bull(expletive) walks. That’s it. … Khabib can retire now. He’s rich. I’m rich now, too. He made me rich. We’re good. But if somebody’s going to put a big paycheck on the table and we can get it done, I don’t care about No. 1 contender, No. 10 contender. Khabib was No. 1 contender for five years. Conor jumped him, Eddie (Alvarez) jumped him, a lot of people jumped him. Right now, it’s about the paycheck,” says Abdelaziz.
It could be awhile before Nurmagomedov may fight again, as he and McGregor are currently awaiting punishment for the post-fight brawl at UFC 229.
