Khabib
Nurmagomedov will bring
Eagle Fighting Championship to the United States early next
year.
The retired former UFC champion told
ESPN that he plans to hold events in Miami with his mixed
martial arts promotion in both January and March, with hopes for
several more in the U.S. as the year progresses. Eagle FC is
working with media company FLX on a production facility in Miami
that will host the organization’s cards, which are expected to
stream on the FLXcast app.
“If you want to become big in MMA, you have to be in USA,”
Nurmagomedov said. “For fighters, for promotion, you have to be in
U.S. If you’re not in U.S., you can never become No. 1 or best.
It’s almost impossible.”
Nurmagomedov told ESPN that the Eagle FC has signed multiple
fighters with previous ties to major organizations like the UFC and
Bellator. He hopes to add at least 50 fighters to his promotion for
the coming year. Nurmagomedov, however, does not want to compete
with other well-known MMA companies, including the one where he
established himself as arguably the top pound-for-pound fighter in
the world.
“It’s not a secret the UFC is the best in the world,” Nurmagomedov
said. “Almost 30 years these guys, the UFC, have done a great show
around the world. UFC is a great brand. I don’t want to compete
with them or other promotions. I have my principles. I have my
view.”
Nurmagomedov bought Eagle FC — formerly known as Gorilla Fighting
Championship — and rebranded it in late 2020. Since last December,
the promotion has held 15 events — with the majority being held in
Russia. A press conference is expected to be held on Dec. 15 for
further news regarding the promotion’s U.S. expansion.
Nurmagomedov, who retired following a victory over Justin
Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner on Oct. 24, 2020, still has no
plans of making a comeback. Instead, he’s focused on running his
promotion and serving as a coach for fighters like top UFC
lightweight contender Islam
Makhachev.
“Nothing and nobody [can change my mind],” Nurmagomedov said. “We
have goals to take back this belt. His name is Islam
Makhachev. He [has] to take belt back to Dagestan. I truly
believe in him. I truly believe his skill — he can do this. I
really believe next — end of the next year — we’re gonna take
this belt home.”