Conor McGregor vs Khabib a done deal? Dana White lifts the lid on negotiations
CONOR MCGREGOR’s proposed fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov is far from a done deal, according to UFC president Dana White.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the biggest fight in the history of the UFC's lightweight division is in the works for UFC 229, which takes place in Las Vegas on October 6.
Nurmagomedov added fuel to that fire last week by revealing the UFC brass are ‘working on’ his eagerly-anticipated showdown with his predecessor at the summit of the lightweight division.
“I’m going to defend my title, Inshallah (god willing), this year. This year, I want to defend my title,” the UFC’s lightweight champion said during a Live Raise Broadcast.
“About opponents, I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t know. But the UFC is working on fight, me versus Conor.”
The timing of Nurmagomedov’s comments prompted suggestions that his long-awaited clash with McGregor will indeed take place at UFC 229, the promotion’s tenth pay-per-view card of 2017.
However, according to White, Nurmagomedov vs McGregor isn’t anywhere near close to coming to fruition.
“That’s the fight we want to make,” the UFC chief said during an appearance on On With Mario Lopez.
Conor McGregor goes on wild rampage during UFC media day
As of right now, it’s all just rumour
“But as of right now, it’s all just rumour.
“Obviously that’s the fight we want to make, but Conor still has issues than lining up fight dates.”
McGregor’s ‘issues’ are the charges he’s facing following his antics at the UFC 223 media day in Brooklyn, where he threw a dolly through the window of a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and his fellow fighters.
Ireland’s first UFC belt holder was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief for his involvement in the attack, which left Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg with facial and eye injuries respectively.
His legal team are currently in the process of working on a plea deal with the Brooklyn District Attorney.
Nurmagomedov is keen to face McGregor before year’s end and recently urged him to sign a contract to fight him.
"I do not need to negotiate with you, do not need to call and ask me,” ‘The Eagle’ said during recent media engagement. "Just send me the contract.
"Yes, negotiations are underway. But you need to persuade him and not me.
"You need to explain to him, 'He will not beat you hard.' Agree to fight."
McGregor, 29, hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since claiming the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 205, a card where he became the promotion's first simultaneous two-weight world champion.
Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, hasn't fought since succeeding McGregor at the summit of the lightweight division at UFC 223, where he recorded a unanimous decision victory over Al Iaquinta.