Khabib Nurmagomedov Says Tony Ferguson Next; Doesn't Want to Talk About McGregor

Even Khabib Nurmagomedov is tired of talking about Conor McGregor.

The undefeated lightweight champion is set to defend his title when he takes on Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 242. Despite this, the question everyone keeps asking him is, "will he rematch McGregor?"

For Nurmagomedov, that answer is simple, and he wants everyone to stop asking him about the Irishman.

"Honestly I don't understand what you ask about. This guy, when did he win the last time?" Nurmagomedov said on the UFC 242 media conference call. "Why do we keep talking about this guy? This guy don't train more than three years. We keep talking about this guy. I don't want to talk about him. We have Dustin Poirier, we have a lot of stuff, please let's talk about real stuff."

McGregor and Nurmagomedov squared off at UFC 229, where Nurmagomedov's fourth-round submission victory was marred by a post-fight brawl. Having defended his title by finishing "Notorious," he feels there is little more to discuss. Even so, earlier this week, Nurmagomedov spoke to ESPN and explained that his feud with McGregor would never end. Because of this, fans are still clamoring for a rematch.

If Nurmagomedov had his way, McGregor would not get a rematch any time soon until he picks up some wins. Instead, the lightweight king says there is only one person who will deserve the next title shot.

"Yes, only Tony Ferguson, of course," Nurmagomedov declared when asked if Ferguson was next in line. "Who else? There is nobody, only Tony Ferguson."

The former interim lightweight champ Ferguson is currently riding a 12-fight winning streak dating back to 2012, when he dropped a decision to Michael Johnson. On that streak, one of the longest in Ultimate Fighting Championship history, he has finished nine of those foes. "El Cucuy" claimed the interim lightweight strap by tapping Kevin Lee, only to have it stripped due to injury before he could attempt to unify it.

Ferguson and Nurmagomedov have been scheduled to fight four times already, but every time, injuries have scuttled their prospective matchups. First, Nurmagomedov suffered a rib injury that scratched their initial attempt to compete. Then, it was Ferguson who pulled out from injury, when he suffered lung damage that forced him to withdraw.

After that, the two were set to meet at UFC 209, but on fight week Nurmagomedov was hospitalized due to a bad weight cut and once again it was cancelled. In the fourth attempt to book this fight, they were slated to clash at UFC 223. A freak accident scrapped that bout yet again, when on April Fools' Day in 2018, Ferguson tore knee ligaments after tripping on an outstretched cable while doing interviews.

Despite these cancellations, if "The Eagle" can get past Poirier on Sept. 7, it appears the Russian champion is ready for that fight to finally happen.