VIDEO | Khabib Nurmagomedov Considering Changing Weight Classes After UFC 219

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a smashing machine. He’s been fighting since 2008 and is undefeated. No one in the UFC has solved the brutal Sambo problem that Nurmagomedov poses. The only tarnish on his entire career is missing weight, resulting in the cancellation of his fight with Tony Ferguson. So far, it looks like his cut for UFC 219’s bout against Edson Barboza is going very smoothly and he’s happier and healthier than ever. It’s going so well apparently, that Khabib Nurmagomedov is going down — yes, down — to the featherweight division.

“Yeah, I think about this [jump down to the featherweight division]. We think about this last month because we watch our weight and we watch how many guys who fight in 145, they have same weight like me. I think fighting in two divisions. Take belt in two divisions is good idea. Everybody think about I can fight in 170, but to be honest, I think I’m small guy at 170. Like, we can watch Cowboy. Cowboy is small at 170. But in 155, he don’t look like small. [Rafael] dos Anjos, when he fight Magny or other guys, he looks small. He beats these guys, but he look small. That’s why I think with 170, I am small. When you go to the fight with high level welterweights, you have to be weighing like 190 when you go to the cage. I think 9 weeks I can make weight [at 145]. My plan is Edson [Barboza] and Tony [Ferguson]. After, we will think about this.”— Edson Barboza speaking to MMA NYTT.

If Khabib Nurmagomedov could actually pull that off, it’d be insane. Of course, he has to get by Barboza first this Saturday. His plan is to beat Barboza at UFC 219, fight and then win against Tony Ferguson before attempting the big but to 145. However, his plan didn’t stop there. In a second interview with UFC’s Megan Olivi, he also mentioned the weight change but also that he would just move down to step at the end of the line. Nurmagomedov eyes a superfight with UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway. ….Holy crap.

“I feel great. My weight is very good. To be honest, I am thinking about next fight maybe I am going to 145. We are thinking about this. I am focused on Barboza, but we’ll see — maybe 145. We gonna see, with my team, we gonna see first how I feel Friday morning. We’ll see. We’re gonna make weight. Maybe I’m gonna take 155 belt and then fight for the belt — champion vs. champion, 145. I think I can make this weight — 145 — too.” — Edson Barboza speaking to Megan Olivi.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 12/28/2017.