After Eddie Alvarez won the UFC lightweight championship back in July, he almost immediately began angling for a fight with either Nate Diaz or Conor McGregor, whoever won their UFC 202 rematch. After McGregor walked away victorious, it seemed that Alvarez was going to get his wish.

But yesterday, that all changed. In what appears to be a bit of behind the scene negotiations spilling over into the public, a Tweet-storm appeared with Alvarez publicly challenging McGregor and Dana White fueling things even further by saying that Alvarez hasn't been offered McGregor, but was offered top-ranked contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov also joined in the fray, calling Alvarez a chicken and promising to finish him "fast and with no pain."

This wasn't just a sudden occurrence. The question of who Alvarez was going to fight next and Nurmagomedov's insistence that he deserves the shot has been going on for months. Recently in an interview on the Five Rounds podcast with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Nurmagomedov talked about why he should be next in line, why McGregor doesn't deserve it, and why a decision has been so slow to come.

"Conor's stuck two divisions, featherweight and lightweight. Now Conor makes the decisions...

"I want to fight at 205 in New York, maybe fight with Eddie Alvarez. I love this fight. I want to fight for the belt. All fans, coaches, fighters, analytics, everybody agrees and knows who deserves this title shot. I deserve it. I am No. 1 ranked. Why UFC put me on No. 1 ranking if they don't want to give me title shot? Why do they make rankings?

"Conor McGregor fights in the UFC in a lighter division and the UFC wants to give him title shot? I think this is No. 1 bullshit. They cannot give him a title shot because he's never fought with the top guys, like top five, top 10 in the lightweight division, and they want to give him title shot? "

Nurmagomedov is 23-0 with a 7-0 record in the UFC and a dominant win over the former champion Rafael dos Anjos but his claim to a title shot is far from bulletproof. Though he is ranked No. 1 in the UFC rankings, he has been very inactive, facing a spat of injuries the last two years. His most recent win was back in April, a win of short notice and unheralded Darrell Horcher.

McGregor is, of course, the current featherweight champion, undefeated at that weight with a 1 - 1 record in the welterweight division, both fights against the currently fourth-ranked lightweight Nate Diaz. McGregor has never competed at 155 lbs. in the UFC and would be getting a lightweight title shot off the back of his success at 145 pounds. and his recent win over Diaz. Nurmagomedov doesn't put much stock in McGregor's lightweight resume and thinks it is just about the money.

"I think at 170 pounds a lot of people can kill both [McGregor and Diaz]. This is my opinion. If we look at the lightweight division, I think a lot of guys can beat these guys. Edson Barboza, Tony Ferguson, Dos Anjos, Michael Johnson, a lot of guys can beat those guys. I think this is big money fight, and that's it. I don't think this it's a high level fight.

"For me it's very interesting, how will Conor look when he comes to lightweight division? For me, I think his weight is 155 , but if he wants to fight for the title he needs to take somebody like a top five fighter. If he beats him, he deserves title shot, I agree. But now if the UFC gives him a title shot, I don't agree because I am the next in the line."

And according to Dana White, Nurmagomedov is next in line, though of course it wouldn't be the first time White was incorrect about something. However per Megan Olivi at UFC Tonight, Alvarez was sent a bout agreement to fight Nurmagomedov at UFC 205 but he failed to sign the contract in time for the deadline. Still, it is possible that Alvarez will refuse to fight Nurmagomedov or that McGregor, who is ready to step in and fight, will reach an agreement with the UFC. Should that happen, Nurmagomedov is prepared to trudge on.

"I'm still focused. If the UFC gives him a title shot, it's okay. I'm a little bit not happy and at the same time I'm a little bit happy, because if the UFC gives him a title shot and he becomes lightweight champion and I win somebody like a top five guy, then we have to fight and he has to fight with me...

"Michael Johnson already beat Edson Barboza, he already beat Dustin Poirier, he already beat Tony Ferguson. I think Michael is good if I don't fight for the title. Michael, Edson, I like Michael Chiesa but he's still injured, somebody. I don't care who is my opponent. If UFC don't give me a title shot, I want to fight with the best. I don't care who."

MUST-READ STORIES

Beg him. Sources say Conor McGregor is healthy and willing to fight for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 205.

Come together. Al Iaquinta is "disgusted" by his post-fight bonus ban and calls for fighters to unionize.

MSG. UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden is taking shape with five fights being announced yesterday.

Hollywood. Nick Newell has a Hollywood biopic on the way.

MEDIA STEW

Invicta preview.

TWood talking Thompson.

Cyborg Nation.

Dope KO

TTTHS

LISTEN UP

Heavy Hands

Press Row

Wonderboy

TWEETS

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into inanity.

Not that we're that surprised, but Lansberg just said she would have taken the fight at 145 if that was the weight offered to her. — Fernanda Prates (@NandaPrates_) September 21, 2016

I am not allowed 141 that will still miss weight. @BrianStann — #ufcbrasilia (@criscyborg) September 21, 2016

Good luck on the weight cut mamacita, I know that shi** is terrible right now. Be careful @criscyborg @ufc — Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) September 20, 2016

Dude, he is.

Beg me — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 21, 2016

I guess its back to the drawing board...again. Live by the sword die by the sword. I still believe I'm one of the best. Time will tell.... — The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 21, 2016

I just want you to know that I came from absolutely nothing.. destitute. I know I have greatness inside of me. I've seen the trenches — The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 21, 2016

Then this whole thing happened. I respect having the moxy to talk shit to a dude who choked you out.

I'm not sure I thought we were fighter's...

I know I am but maybe I'll become a commentator https://t.co/Sr9Vysktcy — Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) September 21, 2016

don't know how many times I have to tell you. You will wait for ur whipping until end of December. Y r u rushing? U know what's gon happen https://t.co/OIMjtejT50 — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 21, 2016

Lots of Twitter beef today.

And Rory just going full Canadian Psycho.

no time limit 1 round open weight class, no judges — Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) September 21, 2016

denver colorado commision was gangster, if they still r im down, anyone on the @BellatorMMA roster up 2 it — Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) September 21, 2016

Up in smoke.

Nick Diaz hanging out with Tommy Chong. (Via his snapchat and Reddit MMA) pic.twitter.com/iYysk6fqFD — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 22, 2016

@heynottheface to one who hates his job he can't comprehend someone living their DREAM job could possibly want more. You know like a future. — Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) September 21, 2016

Lol. We too close. He's my big brother. I steal his phone more than he take mine https://t.co/8DHWoHhLZe — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016

Roy need to be worried about Silva, but both guys might get cut no matter the outcome https://t.co/Mx6zOrB8yc — Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) September 21, 2016

He's neither!! @TWooodley While you and I are discussing this he's training!! Hahahahaha!! Son you are slow in every aspect of the game!! https://t.co/tDXlKCYY3h — Ray Thompson (@UpstateKarateSC) September 21, 2016

Fight news coming soon Novidade de luta chegando. A photo posted by amandanunes (@amanda_leoa) on Sep 21, 2016 at 6:55am PDT

@mickeygall why don't you call out someone who has fought before or is in your own weight class at least? Besides @sagenorthcutt and I have already had a hair bet. I lost that bet. A photo posted by Sam Alvey (@smilensam) on Sep 21, 2016 at 3:54pm PDT

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Josh Burkman (28-13-0, 1 NC) vs. Zak Ottow (13-3-0); UFC Fight Night 96, October 1.

Frankie Edgar (20-5-1) vs. Jeremy Stephens (25-12-0); UFC 205, November 12.

Chris Camozzi (24-11-0) vs. Daniel Kelly (11-1-0); UFC Fight Night 101, November 27.

Alessio Sakara (18-11-0, 2 NC) vs. Joey Beltran (17-13-0, 1 NC); Bellator 167, December 10.





FINAL THOUGHTS

Khabib vs. Eddie and then the winner of that versus the winner of the dos Anjos-Ferguson fight. Conor goes to 145 and rematches Aldo then Holloway. Conversely, Conor vacates the 145 belt and fights Cerrone at 155 (after Cerrone fights Gastelum of course). The Nate Diaz fight should have taught us that Conor doesn't need to fight for belts, he is a blet unto himself. Have him take gangster weight fights while lightweight clears up its logjam. That's my two cents.

Almost done with the week y'all. Stay strong.

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.