Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson go toe-to-toe this Saturday for the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 209, but as is often the case these days, the shadow of Conor McGregor looms large over the event.

Speaking yesterday to reporters at the UFC 209 open workouts, the undefeated Russian Nurmagomedov spoke about the upcoming title fight with Ferguson. With the winner expected to go on and face McGregor to unify the titles down the line, it didn’t take long before questions about the Irishman were asked.

While Nurmagomedov said he didn’t want to talk about McGregor, he did throw out the allegation that the Irishman’s UFC lightweight title win over former champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 was fixed.

“100 per cent I think this is real title fight,” Nurmagomedov said, speaking about this weekend’s fight with Ferguson. “I don’t care about him [McGregor], you guys know his Uncle Dana give him a gift. He jumped over all contenders and he fought for the title. I do not understand this fight [McGregor vs. Alvarez], he catch him a few times and he falls down—to me this is a fake fight.

“I do not think about him. We have a real fight now. This, me and Tony, this is one of the biggest fights in 2017 and all time in the UFC. You guys [the media] think I think about other guys? Of course not. This Saturday I’m going to make it a 25-unbeaten win streak, take the belt and become the new, undisputed, undefeated champion and after we will see what happens.”

Nurmagomedov was then asked to elaborate on his comments about the fight with McGregor and Alvarez being fixed.

“I no understand this fight you know—UFC give him this fight like seven, six weeks before the fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “He [McGregor] catches him a few times and he [Alvarez] falls down. I do not understand—a lot of people have a lot of questions about this fight.

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“I was supposed to fight [for the title] at UFC 205. I know before I don’t fight for the title because I make mistakes, I have injuries, I have surgeries, but 205 I was supposed to fight for the title and they give him, his Uncle Dana give him [a] gift and he jumps all the contenders.