If rumours are to be believed, an autumn showdown between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov is close. According to McGregor's coach Owen Roddy, a bout is apparently "brewing up nicely" - as his fighter aims to get his UFC career back on track. 

MCGREGOR VS KHABIB

Nurmagomedov is the current lightweight champion after he beat Al Iaquinta back in April. And Roddy has explained that the McGregor camp have him in their sights. 

“Conor wants the biggest fights that he can possibly have and I think, at the moment, Khabib seems to be that guy,” he told MMAnytt, per MMA Mania. 

“I’m sure it’s just down to the right negotiations but yeah, I think it is building.”

Despite confidence coming from McGregor's camp, judging by the latest response from the other side, a fight may still be quite far off. 

FIRING SHOTS BACK

Khabib's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, caught wind of these comments - and it's fair to say he's not at all impressed.

He took to Twitter to put those rumours to bed, writing: 

"Let’s make this clear the guy is 2-2 in his last 4 fights. What do you have to gain but money? BIG DRAMA SHOW Khabib doesn’t think he deserves it."

Damn, that's a pretty clear message to send to the Irish fighter. 

MCGREGOR'S RECORD

Although, it may be a little harsh, as Abdelaziz claims that The Notorious is "2-2" in his last four fights - which isn't exactly true. 

In the UFC, McGregor has actually won three out of his last four fights, against Jose Aldo, Nate Diaz and Eddie Alvarez. 

However, his last "fight" was against Floyd Mayweather in a boxing ring - and he did, of course, lose that one. But arguably, that's nothing to be ashamed of. 

So the fact that The Eagle's manager is using McGregor's recent record as an excuse to try and dodge the fight seems a bit strange. 

After all, there's plenty of other sore spots Abdelaziz could be targeting, like the fact that the 29-year-old hasn't been in a UFC bout for almost two years now.  

However, there's little doubt that once Notorious is cleared for a return to the Octagon, he'll go after a big fight.

And Nurmagomedov would be silly to turn that down unless he's actually concerned he'll lose his title.