Khabib Nurmagomedov returned after an extended absence to defeated Edson Barboza by decision in the co-main event of UFC 219.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is Khabib’s father and he says if a bout with UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor or UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson falls through, another opponent that Khabib would fight is former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez.
“I think that Conor, Diaz, and Ferguson, instead of fighting with Khabib, will be better off against each other 30 times,” Nurmagomedov said to Match TV. “If Conor and Ferguson fight among themselves, give us Alvarez. He said that he was preparing Barboza for Khabib. Well, let’s see, let him go himself now.”
Alvarez was also in action at UFC 219, defeating former WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje by third round knockout.
The Nurmagomedov family is also preparing for Ramadan, which means Khabib is free to fight anybody until late May.
“If in the first third of Ramadan, then this is normal: Khabib will not begin to weaken,” said Abdulmanap. “In fact, eight days before the fight, when he makes weight, he already eats little and eats less than in Ramadan after sunset. Until May 22, we are ready to take the fight.”
UFC President Dana White recently spoke out as well, saying that Khabib and Ferguson could be fighting this Spring.
