UFC president Dana White says he has not been contacted by anyone associated with Floyd Mayweather regarding a boxing match against Khabib Nurmagomedov, despite both camps expressing interest in public.
He recently appeared in an online video alongside Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe, telling Mayweather, “we have to fight.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov Challenges Floyd Mayweather to a Fight https://t.co/UULYQH17O5 pic.twitter.com/27oP0gIygM
— SportsGossip.com (@sportsgossip) October 15, 2018
The currently retired Mayweather (50-0) has since responded, telling TMZ earlier this week his team can “make it happen.”
Floyd Mayweather Responds to Khabib After Fight Challenge https://t.co/UcLQayQ96s
— SportsGossip.com (@sportsgossip) October 15, 2018
Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN on Thursday that Nurmagomedov would certainly entertain the idea.
“You have a guy who is 50-0, a guy who is 27-0. Both have never tasted defeat. Khabib brings 2.5 billion Muslims around the world, some of the richest countries in the world, and they’re behind him. Floyd Mayweather is a megastar. Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. If the two forces clash, that’s a real fight.”
Nurmagomedov is currently under temporary suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his post-fight actions at UFC 229, and is facing a disciplinary suspension that would likely spill into 2019.
“As a fight fan, you’ve got to go with Tony. Tony had the belt, tweaked his knee, got stripped, this fight happens — Tony never lost the [interim] belt in a fight. Neither did Conor, but Conor got the opportunity to actually fight [Nurmagomedov]. I think Tony deserves the next shot.”
It doesn’t matter what Dana White thinks. It’s all about the money, if he can get his with a Khabib Mayweather boxing match, it’ll happen.