UFC
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Anthony Pettis a "paper champ," campaigns for next title fight after Gilbert Melendez
Oct 30, 2014 - 6:30:13 PM Khabib Nurmagomedov says Anthony Pettis a "paper champ," campaigns for next title fight after Gilbert Melendez

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Injured lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov is campaigning for a UFC Lightweight Title shot when he returns next spring.

The undefeated fighter believes he has a better case after Gilbert Melendez than any other contender, and he called out Champ Anthony Pettis for his lack of title defenses due to injury.

"First is Gilbert Melendez, and I am after him," Nurmagomedov said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "I'm second. Cerrone lost a lot of times in the UFC – Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Rafael Dos Anjos, a lot of guys beat him. Eddie Alvarez lost, and Benson Henderson lost. I think, 100 percent, I am the No. 1 contender... Myles Jury is a very smart guy, but he's never beaten a guy in the top 10. I think if Myles beats Cerrone, he deserves his title shot next year after me."

"It's a sport and a business, too, and I respect everyone. But I don't respect Anthony Pettis. He's champ, but he's not a true champ. He's a paper champ, and he hasn't defended his title in one-and-a-half years. Before I called out Nate Diaz, [saying] he's scared, he doesn't want this fight, it's a very bad fight for him. Now, I call out Anthony Pettis. I think he's scared, too, but Anthony and Nate don't have good wrestling defense. [They] know I'll smash them."

Penick's Analysis: It's kind of funny to see a fighter currently on the sidelines himself because of a knee injury criticizing the Champ because he's out for the same reason. The UFC also put themselves into this position further by delaying Pettis' return for TUF 20, because he was healthy enough to fight this summer. Still, he does have something to prove when he fights Melendez in December, simply because he's been out as long as he has. As to Nurmagomedov wanting a title fight, the UFC could potentially give him one, but I think he may find himself behind Cerrone if Cerrone beats Jury, Rafael dos Anjos if he beats Nate Diaz, and perhaps even others simply because he'll be on the sidelines while those fighters stake their claims. That said, as an undefeated fighter with several UFC wins, he certainly has a case.