Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s upstart MMA promotion, Eagle FC, is looking to make some serious additions to its roster. Amidst fresh controversy surrounding the treatment of fighters at the hands of the UFC and Bellator, Nurmagomedov took to a press conference to issue a polite threat to the powers that be: “Eagle FC is here”.
“Of course, we’re trying to sign good athletes, great athletes with good names. (At the) same time, we’re working with the young generation too. We have two goals. I just want to say be careful. If they don’t treat good fighters, Eagle FC is here.”
Khabib Cautions UFC: “If they don’t treat good fighters, Eagle FC is here.”
Khabib, who retired early in 2021 following a title defense against Justin Gaethje with a 29-0 record, continued. He said that his experience as an athlete and champion means he understands what fighters and athletes want and need from their promotions, and he plans on delivering it.
“I understand this game (from the) inside. I was professional fighter last 12 years and I hear from a lot of fighters that they really want weight classes like 155, 65, 75, and 85. When I opened this Eagle FC, I was like, why can’t I do this? Let’s build some new history.”
The weight classes in MMA are far fewer than those in, for example, professional boxing. Khabib competed in the UFC’s 155-pound lightweight division, but the next step up is a whopping fifteen pounds for the 170-pound welterweight division.
It’s another fifteen pounds from there to middleweight, at 185, and then twenty pounds up to light heavyweight at 205. Offering mid-range weight divisions allows fighters to compete at their natural weight range without having to cut as much weight before fights, and offers a broader array of tactical approaches.
As for the treatment of fighters, Khabib’s former employers at the UFC are no strangers to controversy surrounding how they treat their athletes. Francis Ngannou, who just defended his heavyweight title, is still embroiled in a controversial contract dispute.
Mark Hunt claims to have been “blackballed” by the UFC for suing them, and even boxing’s “problem child” Jake Paul has made a huge issue of baiting Dana White for underpaying much of the UFC’s roster. Perhaps Khabib will find a way to tempt Francis Ngannou over to his promotion, which would be a major coup for the fledgling organization.
Nurmagomedov, who retired as an undefeated champion, returned to his native Dagestan a wealthy man, but the issues facing lower-ranked and unranked fighters persist. Do you think Khabib will be able to sign the UFC’s disgruntled fighters? Let us know in the comments.
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