With the UFC arriving in New York and bringing the best possible show they could to Madison Square Garden for UFC 205, there was always going to be much more to discuss than just the main event.
An incredible night of fighting was capped by McGregor's effortless destruction of Eddie Alvarez, but there were plenty of other fighters who also stood out on the card. Yoel Romeo looked stunning, both Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley looked great, and Joanna Jedrzejczyk once again showed why she is one of the baddest women on the planet, but there is one name that is being talked about more than the others, that of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The man from Dagestan does not like what is currently happening in the UFC, and is absolutely adamant that he is long overdue a title shot, but as he put Michael Johnson to the sword, he was seen exchanging words with UFC president Dana White.
Speaking backstage after his win, Khabib explained that he was making sure that he was going to get what has been coming to him. Even in between rounds.
I talk with Dana between every round.
I sat to him 'Hey, don't send me any more of your fake contracts. I need a real contract.'
He talk about; 'Oh hey, you have to finish this fight.' I say 'You know already I deserve this. You have to send me after this fight a real contract'. He says 'Ok let's go finish this.'
After I finish fight I am waiting for agreement.
It is going to extremely, extremely difficult for Dana White to pass Khabib by again, but surely after the buzz that has been generated for a potential McGregor vs Nurmagomedov fight, he really has little reason to want to.
This is what the fans want to see next, but if Conor is planning on defending his featherweight title next the Russian will have to wait a while.
Khabib also confirmed that he was talking to his opponent, Michael Johnson, during the fight, telling him that he should give up.
I tell him, I have to fight for the title, you know this.
I tell him, I don't want smash your face, and I already beat you. Like, you have to give up.
He keep fighting.
Johnson's heart cannot be questioned, but that was an ugly beatdown from Nurmagomedov, and one that possibly could have been halted earlier.
One thing is for sure, and that is that Khabib is due a title shot, and the wheels are in motion for the next blockbuster McGregor event. You can watch Nurmagomedov's post-fight interview in full below:
