To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Khabib Nurmagomedov Reveals What Conor McGregor Must Do To Earn A UFC Title Shot

Khabib Nurmagomedov Reveals What Conor McGregor Must Do To Earn A UFC Title Shot

Nurmagomedov says McGregor has to fight at lightweight to earn a rematch against him.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Khabib Nurmagomedov has seemingly changed his tune on a rematch with Conor McGregor - saying 'The Notorious' must beat Dustin Poirier at lightweight to earn a UFC title shot.

McGregor hasn't fought since his destruction of Donald Cerrone in January at UFC 246.

But he's close to returning to the Octagon with a welterweight bout against Dustin Poirier in the works for January 23.

Though Nurmagomedov insists McGregor has to compete at lightweight if he wants another crack at the UFC lightweight title.

"If he beats him (Dustin Poirier) in 155, it makes sense," he told Mike Swick.

"But if they fight in 170, how can you fight in 170 and then next fight be in 155."

'The Eagle' continued: "They want to make everything easy.

"If you want to take it the easy way, you will never deserve another title shot.

"Remember before I fought him, I said 'I am going to make you humble and I am going to put you on the line' and now after two years people understand my words.

"I am going to put him on the line and I am going to make the decision. If he fights 170, bye bye."

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

McGregor's last fight in the UFC took place at welterweight. He's 2-1 at 170lbs, having beaten Nate Diaz and Cerrone while losing to the Stockton slugger in their first fight.

After thrashing 'Cowboy' at UFC 246, the former champ-champ walked away from the UFC after growing frustrated with the promotion.

However, the 32-year-old is back in the gym and training for his UFC comeback.

Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, will defend his UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje this Saturday at UFC 254.

Featured Image Credit: Conor McGregor/YouTube

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, Fight News, UFC

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@https://twitter.com/NasJabbar