It was less than one month ago that UFC President Dana White made it clear that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Gilbert Melendez would square off in the co-main event at UFC 170 in February.
The news was announced at the UFC 168 post-fight press conference, however just days later White told FOX Sports that it wasn’t happening.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and the usual suspects – Who should the Russian fight next?
Many fans came to the conclusion that Melendez was ducking Nurmagomedov or that he had been injured and forced off the card. Both of those cases are false, as MMASucka got word from El Nino’s training partner Jake Shields that the fight was never signed.
“He’s okay. That was a fight that was never signed. It’s a fight he wants as well, it just didn’t fit in the time frame. I don’t think he ever planned on fighting that early, he was looking to fight in April. I think that fight is gonna happen, I just think the time frame was off for the February card.”
After that fight was squashed, it was clear that the Russian was in need of an opponent. Nurmagomedov took to Twitter with a comical photo that shows who he has in mind.
Police did good job lol pic.twitter.com/4ECsZVomZY
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 10, 2014
White went on the record and said that Nate Diaz turned down the fight and that, ‘Nobody wants to fight Khabib.’
It took only a couple of hours for Diaz to respond to the statement.
@danawhite @ufc are full of shit I didn’t turn down anything …
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 12, 2014
What other options are left for Nurmagomedov if Melendez and Diaz are off the list of usual suspects?
1. Jim Miller
The first logical choice in line would be Miller. He is coming off a giant first round submission victory against Fabricio Camoes at UFC 168 at the end of December. Even though he has a NC on the record column for his fight against Pat Healy, it was initially a loss. The New Jersey native has climbed the rankings and has inched ever so close to the top before being knocked down by those ahead of him. A fight with Nurmagomedov would do both fighters well and a win would cement either as a top contender in the 155-pound division.
2. Michael Johnson
The Blackzilian volunteered himself to fight Nurmagomedov on Sunday morning. Johnson went 2-1 in 2013 and finished off the year with a bang. He took on a very dangerous Gleison Tibau at UFC 168 and finished him with a devastating knockout midway through the second round.
Well @danawhite if @NateDiaz209 don’t wanna scrap with me I think the people want me & @TeamKhabib @ufc
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 12, 2014
The next two will have Nurmagomedov out just as long as Melendez would like to wait, but there is a bit more upside to the final idea.
3. Winner of Rafael dos Anjos and Rustam Khabilov
Both are riding giant win streaks, with dos Anjos at five and Khabilov at six and it’s not like they haven’t been facing stiff competition. The Brazilian has fought the tougher two in terms of UFC caliber talent, but “Tiger” only holds one career loss and it was a split decision. Dos Anjos is ranked one position above Nurmagomedov (6) on the UFC website and Khabilov is at 14, so a win for either would put them in a prominent position to face “The Eagle”.
4. Winner of Josh Thomson vs. Benson Henderson
Now this one doesn’t seem as fitting in terms of next opponent, however it would show whether or not Nurmagomedov is a true contender or not. At 21-0 people could say that “The Eagle” hasn’t face enough top opponents and either Thomson or Henderson would prove those critics wrong. Nurmagomedov wanted to fight in February, so likely a fight with either of these two wouldn’t occur, as this bout is scheduled for January 25.
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No matter who Nurmagomedov steps inside the Octagon with next, we are in for something special, as this unorthodox prospect continues on his route to the top of the division.
