Dana White responds to Khabib Nurmagomedov manager demanding $50 million for next fight

Riding high on a fourth-round submission defeat of Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov has never been more popular. In fact, he’s become so popular that his manager Ali Abdelaziz now feels that he’s deserving of a $50-$100 million payday in his next fight. 

“Ben Askren, [UFC welterweight champion Tyron] Woodley, none of these guys can touch Khabib,” Abdelaziz said in a recent interview with TMZ Sports. “Especially if they’re scared to get tired and these guys, they get tired. Now, I’m not even worried about Tyron or Ben Askren, I’m worrying about somebody bringing $50 million to $100 million to the table and none of these guys can bring $200,000 to the table.”

“Listen, the guy we just fought said he made $50 million,” Abdelaziz added. “I think, as a global superstar, Khabib bypass him. You have a guy meeting with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan and the other guy selling liquor on the corner store. It’s not even in the f**king same planet. Good for him. Whatever. It’s none of our business, he do what he does.”

While Abdelaziz is hoping he can snag Khabib Nurmagomedov a $50 million payday, UFC President Dana White wasn’t particularly receptive of the idea when asked about it at the UFC 230 post-fight press conference. In fact, he laughed at it.

“Sure. [Laughing] Come on! They know what’s realistic for them,” Dana White said (transcript via MMA Fighting). “They know the answer to that question. It’s fun to say though, $50 million.”

With his defeat of Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov improved improved to a flawless 27-0 overall. Although he was briefly linked to a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr, the news of Mayweather’s RIZIN 14 fight with Tenshin Nasukawa (first reported right here on BJPENN.COM), threw a wrench in these plans.

Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov should get a $50 million check for his next fight?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 11/6/2018.