KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV is already expecting UFC boss Dana White to call him for talks about a Conor McGregor rematch if he beats Tony Ferguson.
The unbeaten Russian, 31, defends his lightweight crown against Tony Ferguson, 36, on April 18 in New York with McGregor in line to face the winner.
Nurmagomedov beat The Notorious in October 2018 but the bad blood spilled over with a post-fight brawl between the two camps leading to talk of a rematch ever since.
But champion Khabib does not want to speak with White until after he fights Ferguson – unless the UFC boss is offering to take the Russian out for dinner.
He told ESPN: “This guy is going to call me. He’s going to call me 100 per cent.
“Dana, please don’t call me. If you want dinner, let’s go – but he’s going to call me.
“We’ll see. But let’s focus on Tony Ferguson right now.”
McGregor beat Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds on his octagon return in January and White revealed he continued training in case either Nurmagomedov or Ferguson are unable to fight at UFC 249.
The lightweight rivals have had FOUR bouts between each other cancelled for weight cutting and injury problems.
But at their press-conference White refused to confirm whether McGregor was still on standby to fight for title should either pull out.
The UFC president confirmed the Irishman can rematch the champion in his next fight, but indicated the 31-year-old may choose to fight beforehand.
Justin Gaethje, the No4 ranked lightweight, is said to be the frontrunner to face McGregor next.
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