Khabib Nurmagomedov has ruled out a rematch with Conor McGregor unless the Irishman sheds weight after a "minor league" fight with Donald Cerrone.
McGregor will step up to welterweight to make his UFC comeback against Cerrone at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 18.
Former two-weight UFC champion McGregor has not fought since he was beaten by Khabib in a lightweight title bout at UFC 229 in October 2018.
Khabib is due to defend his title against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18 and the Russian says another showdown with McGregor is not on the cards, despite UFC boss Dana White suggesting otherwise.
"I think Cerrone has lost seven or eight of his last 10 fights and the other one [McGregor] is going into his fourth year with no victories," said Khabib.
"It’s like the minor leagues – it really doesn’t matter who wins there.
"I'm surprised that Dana White is saying that if Conor beats Cerrone and I beat Tony Ferguson that there will be a rematch. I decide who I fight next.
1.18.2020 pic.twitter.com/axepzyUq3D
— UFC (@ufc) December 14, 2019
"To fight me he has to cut weight first, down to 70kg, and then win 10 fights in a row like I did, then we'll think about a rematch.
"But for now he can fight second-rate fighters who lose seven out of 10 fights at 77kg, but to think he deserves the lightweight belt… well I'm champion so that won't happen, don’t worry."