Khabib Nurmagomedov Doesn’t Think He’ll Fight On UFC Russia Card

Khabib Nuramgomedov is preparing to face longtime rival Tony Ferguson for the UFC Interim Lightweight Title this March at UFC 209, which takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The UFC is also planning to make it’s highly anticipated debut in Russia this year, which is Nurmagomedov’s home country.

Nurmagomedov though, doesn’t think he’ll be fighting on the card when the UFC finally does debut in his home country of Russia, even if he does become the interim lightweight champion

“I don’t think so. Maybe the UFC comes to Russia end of this year, but for PPV show Russia is not very good,” said Khabib. “For PPV show, maybe Madison Square Garden or T-Mobile Arena. But Russia? Maybe UFC make Fight Night in Russia but why I need fight in Fight Nights? I need to fight on PPV?” Nuramgomedov said during a UFC 209 media scrum.

The UFC current has events lined up through August 5 (UFC event in Anaheim, California), currently the UFC will be appearing in such countries as the United States, Canada, Brazil and England, plus the UFC currently has 32 fighters on the roster that are from Russia.