Undefeated lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov has no love for divisional kingpin Anthony Pettis. And whether “Showtime” likes it or not, Nurmagomedov said he’s coming for the belt.

Nurmagomedov (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has not seen action since April due to an ACL injury. Doctors recently cleared him for an early-2015 return to competition, and in his mind, there’s only one logical option for his next fight.

“Everybody knows I deserve a title shot,” Nurmagomedov told MMAjunkie.

“I am an undefeated fighter who is 6-0 in UFC. In the (official UFC) rankings, I’m No. 2 after Gilbert Melendez. I think Anthony Pettis is scared. He’s never had a good wrestling opponent, now I’m a contender. I have very good wrestling, and Anthony Pettis has only the lucky punch. I think he understands this, and he doesn’t want this fight.”

Pettis (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is currently scheduled to put his belt up for grabs against Gilbert Melendez (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Dec. 6. Despite the fact lightweight is arguably the UFC’s deepest weight class, the organization has yet to name the next No. 1 contender.

Nurmagomedov strongly believes it should be him, and in recent weeks has become increasingly noisy about his desires for the future. The Dagestan-born fighter is getting a handle on the English language is using his newfound dialect to hurl insults at Pettis and make his case for a title shot.

“Anthony Pettis is a pretty boy,” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s a playboy. He’s very beautiful and he’s good to market. But the real champion is Khabib Nurmagomedov. Everybody knows. I sent him the message on Twitter. He didn’t give an answer. I see he’s scared. He only likes striking guys. He doesn’t like wrestling guys who are aggressive with top control. I deserve my title shot; give me my title shot.”

Plenty of fighters talk a big game outside of the octagon, but not many back it up like Nurmagomedov. His undefeated record through 22 professional fights speaks for itself, but within those fights are extremely few instances of weakness. Nurmagomedov hasn’t just won, but according to MMADecisions.com, he hasn’t lost a single round under the UFC banner.

That’s some thorough domination of the opposition by “The Eagle,” and from Nurmagomedov’s perspective, it’s just one example of why he should challenge the winner of Pettis and Melendez.

“Not many people go right into the UFC and win six fights,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’ve beat very tough guys. Gleison Tibau, Rafael Dos Anjos, Abel Trujillo, Pat Healy, Thiago Tavares – I beat very tough guys. I think I deserve it. Every one of my opponents is tough. I think if Anthony Pettis fights all those guys, he would lose.”

The reason Nurmagomedov has targeted Pettis, and not Melendez, is simple, he said. He believes Pettis will emerge victorious at UFC 181. If that prediction is wrong, though, he’ll gladly fight Melendez.

What irks Nurmagomedov most about the UFC lightweight champion is his lack of activity. Pettis has been plagued by injuries in recent years and has only fought twice in the same timeframe where Nurmagomedov saw action on five occasions.

Nurmagomedov said he feels Pettis is trying to milk his title reign for all its worth. His 13-month title reign has consisted of zero defenses. That, to Nurmagomedov, makes Pettis nothing more than a “paper champion.”

“He’s the champion, but he’s not a true champion,” Nurmagomedov said. “He hasn’t had a defense in one-and-a-half years. He has no defense of the belt. He won the belt, yes, but he’s a paper champion. I think he’s a paper champion. Everyone knows I am the true champion. The next fight, I deserve a title shot. This belt is mine. If UFC says I have a title shot, it will be very good for me. It’s my big dream.”

The 26-year-old was in Las Vegas for UFC 178 this past weekend, and he said he was hoping to cross paths with Pettis so he could make a face-to-face argument about why he deserves a championship fight.

Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov said he didn’t see Pettis at the event. So instead, he sent the champion a feisty Twitter message that ultimately went unanswered.

Nurmagomedov said he understands why Pettis won’t show him any recognition. If the champion becomes immersed in a feud, it gives UFC matchmakers more reason to book the contest. Something Nurmagomedov believes Pettis adamantly wants to avoid.

“I look for Anthony Pettis at UFC 178, but I couldn’t find him,” Nurmagomedov said “I wanted to say, ‘Let’s go! I deserve my title shot. Why you shut up and not say my name?’ I follow his Instagram, and I see every time he parties, and I think he’s a playboy. All my life I’m training hard. I’m training in mountains, I’m wrestling with bears, and all my life I’m training.

“Anthony Pettis only beat striking guys and he’s the champion of the lightweight division. All the other UFC champions have a background in wrestling other than featherweight and lightweight. He won’t promote this fight. I think he’s scared.”

Nurmagomedov is confident his title shot will come to fruition one way or another. But if it doesn’t and he has to prove himself once more, he said he wants to fight the highest-ranked opponent available. Nurmagomedov’s belief in his talents is unshakeable, he said, and he claims he has no concerns about losing his place in the pecking order or suffering the first blemish to his perfect record.

“I’m not scared to fight against very good fighters,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m not Anthony Pettis. I’m not scared. I like the zero in my record and I will keep it. I think I don’t lose. I’m going to punish Anthony Pettis and break his heart. I want my belt. I don’t mind fighting versus tough opponent. It’s not a problem. I like challenges. My job is to fight, and it doesn’t matter the opponent, I win the fight.”

The clarity of the lightweight title picture will only increase as the days inch nearer to Pettis’ scheduled title defense against Melendez. Whether Nurmagomedov is granted the next title shot or required to defeat another opponent, his campaign against the champion won’t come to an end, he said.

Nurmagomedov’s lone goal in the sport is to have the UFC title wrapped around his waist, and he truly believes Pettis is simply keeping the strap warm until he gets there.

“My message for Pettis is, ‘Please don’t be scared,” Nurmagomedov said. “Everyone says Khabib is the next lightweight contender. Why you don’t listen? I know you want only striking guys, but my spirit, my top control and my aggression is no good for you. You’re scared. Next year, your belt is not your belt. Your belt is my belt.”

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