Conor McGregor Claims UFC Comeback 'Close' As Khabib Camp Wants $10 Million

Conor McGregor says his UFC comeback is close as a fight with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly on the cards.

McGregor avoided jail time after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct last week for his actions in the build-up to UFC 223 in April which saw him hurl a dolly at a bus occupied by fighters, notably targeting Nurmagomedov.

With his manager Audie Attar claiming negotiations over his UFC comeback were taking place and that Nurmagomedov was the "likely opponent," the big question was when and where his return will take place.

There are rumors that UFC 229 in Las Vegas on Oct. 6 is a possibility while there is also an underlying belief the fight could headline UFC 230 in Madison Square Garden, New York, that will take place Nov. 3.

According to the Irishman though, it is likely to take place in Sin City; however he did not mention a particular date.

"Yes, very close. It’s not official, but we’re close," McGregor said Tuesday when queried by TMZ about his next fight. "I believe so [I'll fight in 2018], I hope so. I'm pushing for it. We’ll see what happens. I’d love to fight in the [Madison Square] Garden again [at UFC 230]. But I believe this one is Las Vegas."

That should serve as good news not only for the UFC and its fans but Nurmagomedov and his camp.

On Monday, Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdelaziz claimed a deal would be done over a fight, but they would not accept a purse that was lower than Nate Diaz's when he earned $2 million during his UFC 202 rematch with McGregor two years ago.

"We will get a deal done," Abdelaziz said Monday, as per MMA Fighting. "Trust me. My relationship with Dana, Hunter, Sean, Mick. I have a different relationship. I’m not gonna overplay my hand and they need to be fair. There’s no way in hell Nate Diaz can make more money than Khabib. There’s no way in hell. [Nurmagomedov is the] undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion of he world. That’s it."

"The Eagle" notably earned an estimated career-high $530,000 when he won the lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 but Abdelaziz wants a figure closer to $10 million for his client.

"If you want to make this fight happen, it’s about money," he explained. "It’s not about who’s the champion, the rankings — none of this stuff. It’s about money. Khabib wants to kick his ass, I want to see it, but at the end of the day, if Conor fights it’s business.

"I’m not a greedy guy. Go ahead and make $100 million. If Khabib can make $10 million, I’m happy. At the end of the day, it’s not just somebody I manage. It’s my little brother, too. It’s not, 'I’m gonna fight for him, I’m gonna get you this deal.' It’s what he deserves. I don’t want anything extra than what he deserves. That’s it. I believe he’s one of the biggest stars in the UFC today."