Nurmagomedov’s Father Claims UFC Used Son To Lower UFC 205 Main Event Purses

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is both the longtime coach and the father to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will be fighting Michael Johnson at UFC 205. But he thinks the UFC manipulated his son, and others.

Abdulmanap recently appeared on Match TV in Russia, where he claimed that the UFC used his son to lower the purses down for UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez and UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor, who will be headlining UFC 205.

“By sending a contract to Khabib, the UFC has reduced the overall cost of UFC 205 by $4 million dollars. According to rumors, McGregor wanted to fight for six or seven million, and Alvarez for one million,” Abdulmanap said. “At this point, Habib was sent two contracts and he signed them. Alvarez with McGregor then calmed down because nobody wanted to fight Khabib. As a result, Alvarez will earn $500,000 and McGregor around $3.5 million. There are some bonuses, but the fact is that they have halved the fees. That's for sure.”

Abdulmanap event says the fight was going to be compensated for being used as a bargaining chip by the promotion.

“Khabib was offered $100,000 compensation for the canceled fight. He refused, and said: "Give me the opportunity to fight the best." On the same evening, he was offered a fight with Michael Johnson for the same fee.”

UFC 205 is taking place on Saturday, November 12 from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York with Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor headlining.