“We better not cross with Conor”: Makhachev about UFC love for McGregor, weight loss by Nurmagomedov and the fight with Ramos

- On Saturday, you will fight with Davy Ramos. What did you pay special attention to when preparing for the fight?

- We always try to work out all the possible ways to develop the battle to be ready for absolutely everything. Also in the case of the Brazilian. The training camp turned out to be very difficult, but this work has borne fruit.

- You now occupy 15th place in the UFC lightweight rating . There is no regret that you got an athlete who is below you as an opponent?

- I think Ramos is among the 20 strongest fighters in the weight category. At the moment, he has a good winning streak. So the opponent is worthy, do not belittle his abilities.

- Were there any offers to fight with someone more status?

“Yes, I had the opportunity to fight James Vick.” True, at that time I was also higher than him in the ranking - I was in 14th position, and he was in 15th. The problem is that the battle was supposed to take place a few weeks earlier - it did not fit me in time.

- If there was an opportunity to meet with him here in the UAE, would you agree?

- Yes of course. I would love to go into the octagon with Vick in Abu Dhabi.

- In case of a victory over the Brazilian on Saturday, who would you like to receive as rivals from the UFC in the near future?

- At the moment I can’t name the names of the athletes I would be particularly interested in meeting with. Those with whom I dreamed of fighting, went to the welterweight.

- Who are you talking about, if not secret?

“Nate Diaz, Kevin Lee — fighting them would be interesting.”

- On Friday the weighing procedure will take place. How much weight do you need to lose?

- Over the next day I will conduct two training sessions, during which I must drive four kilograms.

- The day before the weigh-in for your weight category - is it significant?

- No, this is a very good weight. In my opinion, this is the best option.

- In 2017, Khabib Nurmagomedov was hospitalized a few hours before the weigh-in and was forced to withdraw from the battle with Tony Ferguson. Is this a problem with weight loss?

“No, that's not the point.” Then he had health problems. The process of driving went as usual, did not differ from the current one, but at some point the body began to fail.

- Now there are no health problems?

- He went through treatment and now everything is fine. From that moment on, he made weight two or three times and did not experience any problems. He even weighs less than me now.

- How much is left for him?

- Less than me. And this taking into account the fact that he needs to make champion weight - no more than 155 pounds (70.30 kg), and I can show 156 pounds (70.76 kg).

- Recently, Habib said that his victory over Conor McGregor is not enough. He believes his teammates should beat the whole Irish team. Do you really consider this a goal?

- I think we have already managed to deal with Conor and his team. In my opinion, this story is a thing of the past.

- At the same time, Nurmagomedov himself noted that the story with Conor will never end ...

- I do not think that our meeting with McGregor will be limited to simple, friendly communication. Of course, there will be a conflict. So we better not cross with Conor.

- Would you like to fight with one of McGregor's teammates - Artyom Lobov or Dillon Denis?

“I would not like to waste time on them.” These fighters are not at my level. Plus, both are no longer playing in the UFC. Dennis did spend only two fights in his career, and only tries to earn his living with his tongue.

- If you were offered to enter the octagon with McGregor today as part of the UFC tournament, would you consider this option?

- Undoubtedly. Who will refuse the opportunity to make easy money?

- Do you think that for you the battle with Conor would be too simple?

- If a person does not know how to fight, then the fight with him, by definition, is easy for me.

- You will be surprised if the UFC leadership once again organizes a duel between Nurmagomedov and McGregor, despite the Irishman's lack of practice?

- I don’t know what the marketing and matchmaker plans are. Anything can happen. Previously, the leadership more than once went to meet him. The UFC loves McGregor because he brings them money. Of course, they will make concessions to him.