Khabib Nurmagomedov called out Floyd Mayweather on social media last week and the American legend responded with: “CBS, Showtime and MGM Grand get the checkbook out!
“LET’S MAKE LAS VEGAS GREAT AGAIN!”
But Khabib has a huge problem with those demands and he is suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, meaning another destination will have to be chosen.
The Russian is still yet to be paid his $2million (£1.5m) purse for the victory against Conor McGregor at UFC 229 because of a post-fight brawl, which is still being investigated.
Khabib, who holds an undefeated 27-0 record in the UFC, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of McGregor by turning his hand to boxing for a big pay-day clash with Mayweather.
But he has responded to Mayweather by asking for a different location for any potential showdown.
“But no Vegas, they won’t pay my money,” Khabib said.
Mayweather, whose record stands at 50-0, is more likely to fight Manny Pacquiao if he comes out of retirement once again.
Mayweather wrote on Instagram. Both networks and the casino have given financial backing to previous Mayweather events.
Mayweather, who hasn’t fought since he knocked out UFC fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017 in a highly publicized boxing match, then urged his followers to watch a recent video from Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, in which Nurmagomedov spoke of fighting the boxer.
“Let’s go, Floyd,” Nurmagomedov said in the clip. “We have to fight now. 50-0 versus 27-0. Two guys that never, never lose. Let’s go. Why not? Because, in the jungle (there is) only one king. Only one king. Of course, I am the king because he cannot drop McGregor but I drop him easily. Let’s fight. Let’s go.”
It wasn’t immediately clear if the potential fight would actually take place – or if it would occur in a boxing ring or the mixed martial arts octagon.
Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor on Oct. 6 in a UFC fight and then climbed the cage and jumped at the men in McGregor’s corner, setting off an extended brawl inside and outside the octagon. Meanwhile, two men from Nurmagomedov’s entourage climbed into the cage and attacked McGregor, who defended himself before security personnel intervened.
Mayweather’s fight against McGregor, meanwhile, was one of the most purchased pay-per-views in boxing history, suggesting that a fight against Nurmagomedov could do big business.
Mayweather, for his part, appeared eager on Instagram to make the fight happen.
“LET’S MAKE LAS VEGAS GREAT AGAIN,” he wrote.