Abdelaziz: ‘No way in hell’ Khabib Nurmagomedov fights Conor McGregor for less money than Nate Diaz

[La Paix]

LOS ANGELES — There is a definitive basement as to what Khabib Nurmagomedov will accept financially for his impending fight with Conor McGregor.

Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Fighting on Monday that his client will not take less money to fight McGregor than Nate Diaz made against the Irishman. Diaz took home a guaranteed $2 million at UFC 202 in August 2016 for his fight with McGregor. He likely got paid much more with his share of pay-per-view revenue.

Abdelaziz did say he believes he’ll get a deal done for Nurmagomedov to defend his lightweight title against McGregor, the absentee former champion, because of his relationship with UFC president Dana White, general counsel Hunter Campbell and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard.

“We will get a deal done,” Abdelaziz said at a UFC 227 media lunch for his client Cody Garbrandt. “Trust me. My relationship with Dana, Hunter, Sean, Mick. I have a different relationship. I’m not gonna overplay my hand and they need to be fair. There’s no way in hell Nate Diaz can make more money than Khabib. There’s no way in hell. [Nurmagomedov is the] undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion of he world. That’s it.”

Ali Abdelaziz: ‘No way in hell’ Khabib Nurmagomedov fights Conor McGregor for less money than Nate Diaz

 

[La Paix]

This team Khabib...

“If you want to make this fight happen, it’s about money,” Abdelaziz said. “It’s not about who’s the champion, the rankings — none of this stuff. It’s about money. Khabib wants to kick his ass, I want to see it, but at the end of the day, if Conor fights it’s business.”

Let's time travel waaaaaay back to January.

Khabib not interested in ‘money’, would fight McGregor for free

“Zero. Zero, man,” Nurmagomedov told TMZ when asked how much it would take for him to fight McGregor, per MMA Weekly’s Damon Martin. “I don’t need money. I need only real fight. Fight for the title. I don’t fight for the money, I fight for my legacy, I fight for history, I fight for my people. That’s why I am here. Three rounds? I am tired about this. I need like 50, 60 rounds. I want to fight all night.”



2016

Khabib Nurmagomedov Focused On Title, Not Money

"I care about the belt,” Nurmagomedov said.“I want to finish this fight and fight for the title. I don’t care who has the title, who wins (between Alvarez and McGregor). I don’t care about money.

“I know a lot of fighters fight for the money, but money is not everything for me. I know money is very important for life, but I have money. I never use MMA to make money. MMA for me is about my life, about my blood and about everything I do all my life. Money, I can make money with other stuff. I have money. I have everything. I need the belt.”

 

[Dick Niaz]

Khabib needs Conor’s drawing power much more than Conor needs his belt back. As much as I like Dustin Porier, he does not make red panty nights happen.

 

[ECC170]

Khabib might not care about money but his handlers sure do..khabib will make a couple million

 

[La Paix]

Khabib might not care about money but his handlers sure do..khabib will make a couple million

Sounds like "tell me location" has turned into

Already saying Dustin deserves it more and shit, lol.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

This team Khabib...

“If you want to make this fight happen, it’s about money,” Abdelaziz said. “It’s not about who’s the champion, the rankings — none of this stuff. It’s about money. Khabib wants to kick his ass, I want to see it, but at the end of the day, if Conor fights it’s business.”

Let's time travel waaaaaay back to January.

Khabib not interested in ‘money’, would fight McGregor for free

“Zero. Zero, man,” Nurmagomedov told TMZ when asked how much it would take for him to fight McGregor, per MMA Weekly’s Damon Martin. “I don’t need money. I need only real fight. Fight for the title. I don’t fight for the money, I fight for my legacy, I fight for history, I fight for my people. That’s why I am here. Three rounds? I am tired about this. I need like 50, 60 rounds. I want to fight all night.”



2016

Khabib Nurmagomedov Focused On Title, Not Money

"I care about the belt,” Nurmagomedov said.“I want to finish this fight and fight for the title. I don’t care who has the title, who wins (between Alvarez and McGregor). I don’t care about money.

“I know a lot of fighters fight for the money, but money is not everything for me. I know money is very important for life, but I have money. I never use MMA to make money. MMA for me is about my life, about my blood and about everything I do all my life. Money, I can make money with other stuff. I have money. I have everything. I need the belt.”

A lot has changed since January.

 

[La Paix]

A lot has changed since January.

Like Khabibs willingness to fight Conor anywhere any time and needing millions instead of free.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Khabib should make more than Diaz, at least first fight Diaz.

I love Nate Diaz, but he wasn't in a position to deserve a fight with Conor when he stepped in for RDA. He earned his piece of the pie for the second fight by winning the first one and being such a goddamn national treasure at every turn. Khabib actually deserves the fight with Conor, and while he obviously shouldn't make more than Conor, he is possibly the biggest available money fight the UFC can have right now, and his skills and the championship title add legitimacy which will also build interest. Khabib should get taken care of.

With that said, I don't think the potential hold up to this fight will be Khabib's pay. The hold up will be Conor's compensation. He wasn't joking when he said he wanted equity, and I personally think the UFC would consider it if they could pull it off logistically.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Like Khabibs willingness to fight Conor anywhere any time and needing millions instead of free.

He has two children.

We expect too much of these human beings. Khabib is a super human for what he does in the cage. Are you going to respect him more if he lives in a middle class house and has to have an extra business when he retires, or does that not matter to you as long as he performs? We shouldn't expect the guy to give up late life comfort for him and his family in exchange for mythical machismo.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Also, to those saying he shouldn't negotiate pay too much, who should the money go to, then? Conor is going to get paid like crazy for this fight, but this fight will also make a lot of money on top of that, at least in part because Khabib is contributing to it. Should it go to the shareholders? More birthday parties and steroids for Dana? The fighters are bringing the eyeballs, and as fans we should want them to get the money.

 

[La Paix]

He has two children.

We expect too much of these human beings. Khabib is a super human for what he does in the cage. Are you going to respect him more if he lives in a middle class house and has to have an extra business when he retires, or does that not matter to you as long as he performs? We shouldn't expect the guy to give up late life comfort for him and his family in exchange for mythical machismo.

Excellent points if it was me and other fans making the claims of fighting for free, titles don't matter, send me location...

You said lots has changed since January, what exactly are you referring to? Conor still hasn't fought, Dustin won his rematch, Conor's legal issues are cleared up so he can fight. Lots of talk from team Khabib when Conors future wasn't known. Now that he's clear the tone does a complete 180. I just find it funny that those on team Khabib or anti Conor constantly throw shade at McG for being a business man first then fighter and praise Khabib for being the exact opposite. Now's it Khabib with the strap and it's all about the money, lol.

 

[La Paix]

Also, to those saying he shouldn't negotiate pay too much, who should the money go to, then? Conor is going to get paid like crazy for this fight, but this fight will also make a lot of money on top of that, at least in part because Khabib is contributing to it. Should it go to the shareholders? More birthday parties and steroids for Dana? The fighters are bringing the eyeballs, and as fans we should want them to get the money.

To be clear I'm all for every fighters making as much as possible. Just don't cry wolf about being all about winning and legacy for years then try to flip flop once you're "champ".

 

[ECC170]

Sounds like "tell me location" has turned into

Already saying Dustin deserves it more and shit, lol.

Heaven forbid somebody plays hardball with mr money bags.. He def needs to get paid.. conor says ridiculous stuff all the time and khabib was just stating that he could whip his ass for free.. and he could but why not get paid it.

 

[ECC170]

Khabib also isn't a dummy he's playing this up..I never discredited Conor business savvy..Conor is a easy pay day and khabib ppl have advised him to get paid.. nothing wrong with having leverage negotiating like Conor does.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Excellent points if it was me and other fans making the claims of fighting for free, titles don't matter, send me location...

You said lots has changed since January, what exactly are you referring to? Conor still hasn't fought, Dustin won his rematch, Conor's legal issues are cleared up so he can fight. Lots of talk from team Khabib when Conors future wasn't known. Now that he's clear the tone does a complete 180. I just find it funny that those on team Khabib or anti Conor constantly throw shade at McG for being a business man first then fighter and praise Khabib for being the exact opposite. Now's it Khabib with the strap and it's all about the money, lol.

I get your point.

FTR, I love Conor. I have been accused of being a nut-hugger on here multiple times. I am a huge fan of both guys. Not saying you were implying that I wasn't, I just want to get that out of the way.

I could have characterized it differently, but you gotta understand that it could even still not be about the money for Khabib. Ali is employed to make Khabib the most money possible. If there wasn't a lot of money on the line, in my opinion Khabib would still fight Conor because Khabib is a savage from Dagestan, and he's one of the best fighters in the world. Being that millions of dollars are available, no matter what was said in the past, can we blame his manager for seeing the writing on the wall and wanting to set Khabib up for life?

Even if Khabib 100% meant what he said about being willing to fight Conor for cheap, wouldn't he be pretty foolish to walk into negotiations with that mindset? Wouldn't it be even more foolish to have negotiations ongoing, and then tell the press that your guy will fight for peanuts? I don't like Ali, but I don't care if Khabib would sign a blank contract, I think his manager is doing the right thing here.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

MMA fans are always trying to nitpick things that are said in the buildup to a fight. Every human being on the planet has contradicted him or herself at one point, and we are asking stone cold killer MMA fighters to be 100% unwavering in the things that they say? Seems too much to ask of people who get paid to beat people up.

 

[La Paix]

Heaven forbid somebody plays hardball with mr money bags.. He def needs to get paid.. conor says ridiculous stuff all the time and khabib was just stating that he could whip his ass for free.. and he could but why not get paid it.

C'mon man... That's a weak spin and you know it. He wasn't stating he could do it, he said he would do it and now that it's closer than ever he's changing his mind.

Like I said I'd love to see Khabib and every other fighter squeeze every dime out of the UFC. Just don't be a hypocrite in the process.

 

[La Paix]

Being that millions of dollars are available, no matter what was said in the past, can we blame his manager for seeing the writing on the wall and wanting to set Khabib up for life?

Yes. A good manager paired with a fighter as talented as Khabib should have the foresite and business mind to see these fights coming up.

Even if Khabib 100% meant what he said about being willing to fight Conor for cheap, wouldn't he be pretty foolish to walk into negotiations with that mindset? Wouldn't it be even more foolish to have negotiations ongoing, and then tell the press that your guy will fight for peanuts?.

Yes and yes. Foolish all around no doubt. Funny that these guys become so wise once the fight is closer than ever though no?

 

[jason73]

anyone who fights conor should lobby for as much money as they can possibly get. they will never get a bigger payday in their careers and conor will be getting paid much more than they will.if the ufc had it their way the champ would get 500k and conor would get 10 mill

 

[ECC170]

C'mon man... That's a weak spin and you know it. He wasn't stating he could do it, he said he would do it and now that it's closer than ever he's changing his mind.

Like I said I'd love to see Khabib and every other fighter squeeze every dime out of the UFC. Just don't be a hypocrite in the process.

He's gonna fight conor next.. he's just saying what everybody thinks inthe fact that Conor can just waltz in and get a title shot over active guys.. he won't back out and he will whoop that ass soon enough.. this is media mental games.. conor is a master at them and now that khabib is deploying his own ppl are getting a taste of it from the other side.. When you're just attacked on a bus surely you are gonna be pissed off and willing to fight him regardless the setting.. but now that it's feasible for them to fight in the octagon who in their right mind would not be trying to get the most cash possible.. this is a once in a lifetime opportunity..I don't knock Conor ever for his negotiating tactics or skillset.. preference of character is what it comes down to for me and Khabibs style and persona resonate with me.. conor has a way of entertaining that is a necessary facet to this game and he's the man for it.. but when comparing these 2 styles I just see it being the best on contrast and honestly the 2 best of their craft in striking and grappling..I just think khabib is playing mind games and knows he will fight Conor and beat him handily.. this wouldn't be any fun if khabib didn't use his platform to sell the fight.

 

[member 3289]

@Splinty can you ban the words "Ali Abdelaziz" from thread titles and OP's?

The guy says so much stupid shit that he should never be taken seriously.

 

[La Paix]

He's gonna fight conor next.. he's just saying what everybody thinks inthe fact that Conor can just waltz in and get a title shot over active guys.. he won't back out and he will whoop that ass soon enough.. this is media mental games.. conor is a master at them and now that khabib is deploying his own ppl are getting a taste of it from the other side.. When you're just attacked on a bus surely you are gonna be pissed off and willing to fight him regardless the setting.. but now that it's feasible for them to fight in the octagon who in their right mind would not be trying to get the most cash possible.. this is a once in a lifetime opportunity..I don't knock Conor ever for his negotiating tactics or skillset.. preference of character is what it comes down to for me and Khabibs style and persona resonate with me.. conor has a way of entertaining that is a necessary facet to this game and he's the man for it.. but when comparing these 2 styles I just see it being the best on contrast and honestly the 2 best of their craft in striking and grappling..I just think khabib is playing mind games and knows he will fight Conor and beat him handily.. this wouldn't be any fun if khabib didn't use his platform to sell the fight.

Fair enough, I see your side here for sure. But as far as Khabib being pissed off and fight regardless of setting...

Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Conor McGregor’s bus attack: ‘I am laughing’

Again, he's been calling out Conor since 2016. Now that it may actually be happening it's no longer about title, legacy, beating up the chicken and all that is it? It's all about the skrilla.

 

[Joemacka]