Eddie Alvarez’s first lightweight title defense will not take place at New York City’s Madison Square Garden as expected.
According to “UFC Tonight,” Alvarez will possibly fight top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 206 in Toronto, Ont., later this year.
Originally, the 155-pound titleholder was offered to fight the Russian at UFC 205 in New York, but it was reported that he did not sign the contract by a certain deadline. The UFC has sent Alvarez a new bout agreement for the December pay-per-view card, but he has yet to sign the dotted line for this one, too.
Since capturing the lightweight belt, Alvarez has made it clear he wants to fight featherweight champ Conor McGregor next. But it doesn’t sound like that’s happening, because McGregor is apparently currently rehabbing a leg injury, per UFC Tonight.
Alvarez won the title when he knocked out Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Fight Night 90 this past July. He currently is riding a three-fight winning streak, with other UFC victories over Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez.
Nurmagomedov returned to the cage earlier this year and defeated newcomer Darrell Horcher by stoppage. Prior to the win, he had been sidelined for two years due to several injuries.
UFC 206 takes place live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ont., on Dec. 10. There are no bouts finalized for the card at this time.