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UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has booked his next fight and signed a new lucrative multi-fight deal.
On Tuesday, the UFC announced that Nurmagomedov would face Interim Lightweight Champion, Dustin Poirier, during a fight for unification of the title on Sept. 7 at UFC 242, in Abu Dhabi. Dhabi.
The fight was signed with a new contract, the undefeated Russian having more than a fight for his former contract with the UFC.
"We are extremely happy," Nurmagomedov director Ali Abdel-Aziz said of the new contract during his interview with MMAFighting on Tuesday. "We take good care of ourselves. We can not ask for anything better. We are very grateful. The easiest negotiation I have ever made. It was right, straight to the point. It is one of the largest transactions in the history of the UFC. I do not care about Conor [McGregor]I 'm mad about it' s one of the biggest guaranties [contracts] in the history of the UFC. When you do this kind of thing, people normally burn bridges. The bridges are only getting stronger, that's all I'm going to say.
"The UFC has intensified. They gave us what we wanted, made a good business decision on their behalf, and made us a partner. We are all partners. We are together on this subject. "
Nurmagomedov has so far 11-0 in his UFC career, including his title victory against Al Iaquinta last April, followed by a win over the fourth round against Conor McGregor during of his first defense last October.
Between his undefeated record, his dominant performance and his growing star status on a global scale, Abdel-Aziz knew that the UFC would be up to par when it was time to sign a new contract.
"My opinion at the moment, Khabib is the best pound-to-pound fighter we've ever seen," said Abdel-Aziz. "He never lost. He was never caught. He was never dropped. He dominated every round against almost all his opponents. No [performance-enhancing drugs], nothing.
That's why he is the highest paid athlete in the UFC today. Believe me. He is the highest paid athlete in the UFC today. And I repeat it because I see everything. They showed me everything. Khabib is the highest paid athlete of the UFC and we are happy. It's time to fight. "
At the moment, there is no definite schedule for Nurmagomedov's return to the United States for the start of his training camp, but this is likely to be the case in the coming weeks.
Anticipation is already taking shape, however, as the native of Dagestan, aged 30, was very excited about the opportunity to perform in front of the public in Abu Dhabi. According to Abdel-Aziz, he will be joined on the card by his cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov and his teammate Zubaira Tukhugov.
"It's like a prince who puts all his skills to his people. It's coming home, "Abdel-Aziz said of the struggle in Abu Dhabi. "It is the people who have supported it, all of the Middle East, all of North Africa, 1.5 billion Muslims and the UFC have made the right decision. They know that it is the biggest attraction of the Muslim world and that Dana White is an entrepreneur. Dana White is the biggest fighting promoter [sports] l & # 39; history. He is who he is and he has made a very good business decision.
"They kept their word. They have Abubakar [Nurmagomedov] and Zubaira [Tukhugov] a fight on the same map as Khabib. They re-signed Zubaira to the UFC. All they said, they delivered. We must also deliver, that's all.
There's another major factor that will inspire the reigning lightweight champion in his fight against Poirier at UFC 242, is that his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, will come back stuck his son in Abu Dhabi.
Visa problems prevented him from going to the Nurmagomedov corner recently, but he will now have the chance to be present when his son faces Poirier in September.
"One of the most important things for Khabib is that his father will be in his corner. This is worth so much more than a lot of money, "said Abdel-Aziz. "Money is important, but his father is able to pin it down, it's something that's worth so much more."
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