Lightweights Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov and Tony ‘El Cucuy’ Ferguson both want to fight each other on March 4 at UFC 209 in Las Vegas, so what’s the big hold-up?

It’s about Money! Khabib gets paid (way) more than Tony to fight.

The lightweight scrap was originally targeted for a January UFC card, as Tony was reportedly offered an Lightweight Interim-Title fight with Nurmagomedov. Plans fell through after, according to Ferguson: Khabib declined the fight.

The targeted date was then changed to March 4 — at UFC 209, a bout that doesn’t yet have a clear main event headline fight. Tony Ferguson though, wants to be paid as much as Khabib if he’s going to fight the Russian. Ferguson claims that there is nothing that shows Khabib Nurmagomedov outdraws him, adding that he should be compensated equally.

Khabib didn’t have a problem with Ferguson’s request:

Hey @TonyFergusonXT if the @ufc don't want to pay you I'll pay you 200k extra on your purse let's make this fight now you have no excuse — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 2, 2017

Unfortunately for Tony Ferguson, Dana White doesn’t think ‘El Cucuy’ is worth Khabib Nurmagomedov level money. The UFC President got the chance to speak with the media in lieu of a Ronda Rousey press conference ahead of UFC 207, as he brought back the pre-fight media scrum ahead of the event. White didn’t shy away from talking about the rumored Tony vs. Khabib fight.

“Khabib has a different deal, and that ain’t happening,” Dana White said, adding that Ferguson had just signed a new deal with the UFC. “I get into some shitty deals too.”

Both Khabib and Ferguson spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour today to talk about their rumored UFC 209 bout.

Tony said that he just wants to be paid just as much as his opponent, but added that he wouldn’t take Khabib’s money, rather the 13-fight octagon veteran quipped that the UFC should compensate him as his employer.

“If this dude (Khabib Nurmagomedov) is willing to fork up 200k, I don’t know why the UFC can’t,” said Ferguson.

Khabib said on Monday and said that he was sick of all the talk about money, he just wants to fight for a belt — even confirming to Helwani that he would indeed pay Ferguson $200,000 to meet him in the octagon.

“Everybody can talk. Let’s Fight! March 4, UFC 209!” said Nurmagomedov. “He needs to shut up and take this fight.”

Khabib added that he never thought about money, and after he couldn’t fight for the Lightweight belt last year — he made 10x less money for his next fight, and he never complained once.

“I deserve title fight, but Tony Ferguson (at 9-0) has a case for title fight too.”

Will Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson ever get to settle their difference inside the octagon? Is Tony Ferguson worth Khabib money?

— Let us know what you think in the comment section!