Morning Report: Dana White: Conor McGregor wants immediate rematch or whoever gets him rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov

Almost one month removed from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s submission win over Conor McGregorand the ensuing melee that broke out at UFC 229, Dana White still doesn’t have any answers about what is next for the UFC lightweight division or its two biggest stars.

Speaking at the UFC 230 post-fight press conference this weekend, White addressed the UFC lightweight title picture and what the future held for Nurmagomedov and McGregor, saying that both Khabib and Conor were stuck in limbo until the situation with the Nevada State Athletic Commission can be resolved.

“We’re on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s time now,” White said. “We’re waiting until November or December – whenever that thing is – and then when that thing plays out we’ll know where we sit, then we’ll know what’s next.”

Nurmagomedov and McGregor were both handed provisional suspensions following the brawl that broke out at UFC 229 when Nurmagomedov jumped into the crowd to attack members of McGregor’s team after his victory. The NAC is also withholding half of Nurmagomedov’s $2M fight purse until the commission meets again on Dec. 10 to rule on the situation. Both Nurmagomedov and McGregor could be looking at substantial suspensions or further sanctions depending on the NAC’s ruling. If that doesn’t happen though, White says that McGregor, for one, is ready to get right back to work.

“Conor and I talked for an hour last week,” said White. “Typical Conor. ‘I would love an immediate rematch. I want to fight him again but I’ll fight whoever I gotta fight to get back to him if that’s not the case.’”

White did not mention whether the UFC was actually considering granting McGregor the rematch, though the possibility certainly exists. After Nate Diaz submitted him in their first fight at UFC 196, McGregor was given an immediate rematch and the event was the biggest UFC pay-per-view event in history until UFC 229. A rematch with Nurmagomedov, especially after the attention the post-fight brawl received, is likely the biggest fight the UFC can put on right now.

If the UFC opts not to though, McGregor could find himself with a rematch of another sort to get back in the title picture: either against Nate Diaz or Dustin Poirier. Diaz and Poirier were supposed to compete at UFC 230 with a shot at the winner of the presumed Khabib vs. Tony Fergusonlightweight title fight on the line. Instead, and injury forced Poirier off the card and now both men are free to face off with McGregor early next year.

That could come in handy too since the UFC may soon be at odds with Nurmagomedov over pay. Khabib’s team recently announced that they want $50 million for his next fight (McGregor’s rumored take home from UFC 229) and that’s a price tag White does not seem willing to pay.

“Sure. [Laughing] Come on! They know what’s realistic for them,” said White. “They know the answer to that question. It’s fun to say though, $50 million.”

If Nurmagomedov holds out for more money, we could be seeing McGregor back in the title picture sooner rather than later.