For now, Khabib Nurmagomedov will face Tony Ferguson for the interim – not the undisputed -- lightweight title at UFC 223.
However, Nurmagomedov expects that to change following the conclusion of the April 7 event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Reigning lightweight champion Conor McGregor has not defended the title since winning it with a second-round stoppage of Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November 2016.
“This is not Conor belt. This is not interim Tony Ferguson belt. This is [undisputed] belt,” Nurmagomedov told Tony Ferguson is still interim champion.