Khabib Nurmagomedov targeting UFC Fight Pass deal for newly-acquired promotion EFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s meeting with Dana White was less about getting himself back into the octagon again and more about providing a pathway for others to do so, instead.

Speaking during a press conference in Moscow, the UFC lightweight champion formally confirmed his purchase of Dagestani MMA promotion Gorilla Fighting Championship and announced that the organization would change its name to Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC).

The meeting with White, he explained, was to get the wheels moving on brokering a deal to have his newly-acquired promotion’s events streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.

“I had this offer to Dana White. I wanted to make a contract with UC Fight Pass to broadcast EFC fights there,” he told reporters. “Kind of like their contract with M-1, but a bit different.”

Nurmagomedov doesn’t just want his shows on UFC Fight Pass, however. He wants to establish a talent pipeline to the UFC that will make EFC a launchpad for young, up-and-coming talent from Russia to fight their way to the sport’s biggest stage.

“I wanted to discuss the number of title defenses an EFC fighter needs to get into the UFC,” Nurmagomedov continued. “When we sign fighters, we would like the organization to follow them into the UFC. For example, a guy signs for six fights. If he wins and defends his title a few times we’ll get him a UFC contract. Then, after he signs, we’ll handle his affairs.”

Nurmagomedov has big plans for his promotion, and wants to grow the organization’s profile and reputation to the point that it’s considered one of the premier regional promotions in the sport. But he stopped short of saying he wanted to create a rival organization to the UFC. Instead, he said, he wanted to help give young fighters from his part of the world a route to the octagon.

“It’s no secret everyone wants to get into the UFC,” he said. “Other promotions want their fighters to stay. I don’t want that. I want EFC to be a launchpad into the world stage. We need at least 10 years to be better than UFC, so we don’t have those goals. A 23-year-old fighter can have six to seven fights, win the title and defend it, then sign with the UFC in just two years. That’s a more realistic short-term goal than looking ahead 10-12 years just for a chance to become the best promotion in the world. But we do aim to become one of the best in the world.”