Ali Abdelaziz Claims Khabib Nurmagomedov Is Now The UFC's Highest-Paid Fighter

Controversial manager Ali Abdelaziz claims that his client, lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is now the highest paid fighter in the UFC.

Abdelaziz originally revealed that Nurmagomedov’s new deal with the UFC had a clause in it regarding the potential return of welterweight kingpin Georges St. Pierre, and now the outspoken manager told MMAFighting.com that his fighter’s new contract is set to make him the promotion’s highest paid athlete.

“My opinion right now, Khabib is the pound-for-pound greatest fighter we’ve ever seen,” Abdelaziz said. “He never lost. He’s never been caught. He’s never been dropped. He’s dominated every round against almost every opponent. No [performance-enhancing drugs], nothing.

“This is why he’s the highest-paid athlete in the UFC today,” Abdelaziz added. “Believe me. He’s the highest-paid athlete in the UFC today. And I’m saying that again because I see everything. They showed me everything. Khabib is the highest-paid athlete in the UFC and we are happy. It’s time to fight.”

The news comes in light of Nurmagomedov’s title unification bout against newly-crowned interim champion Dustin Poirier, which has been confirmed to take place on Sept. 7 at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.