Eddie Alvarez is currently ranked third behind Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor in the UFC lightweight rankings. He very well could be one of the next in line to face off against Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Championship.
However, for any fighter that wants a fight against the Russian, they'll have to wait until November/December later this year, as the lightweight champion revealed the other day that he will be out of action until then.
Despite the possible offers by UFC of a rematch with Dustin Poirier after their last fight ended in a no contest, or a chance to settle his beef with Nate Diaz, or a huge payday against McGregor, Alvarez wants to wait to step foot inside the Octagon with Khabib, and for a good reason.
During a recent interview on The MMA Hour, via MMA Mania Alvarez revealed that he would prefer to have a fight against The Eagle than a big payday rematch against Notorious, not because the Russian has the UFC Lightweight title, but due to the fact he is undefeated.
The American said: “The one I want the most out of all them is Khabib, and it has nothing to do with the title. I just think right now, timing wise, he’s the most valuable of all them fighters.
“He’s undefeated so there is this mystique that he is unbeatable which excites me even more. I just need to fight somebody that I can get excited about. I’ve been fighting since I am 19 years old and I need something more than just here’s another bout, here’s another guy,” he added.
“There has to be something in it for me, something to be excited about. Something to wake up early for, go to sleep late and maybe have a little fear of losing to him. I need to feel that in order to take a fight and he can be that guy.”
Before any fight between Khabib and Alvarez could happen though, The Underground King has to sign a new contract with the promotion as he is on the last fight of his current deal.
This might be the only cog that stops this fight from happening, as Khabib has said he'll take on any challenger UFC proposes to him.