Mike Kogan: Anthony Pettis Knows Nate Diaz Matchup Is 'A Money Fight'

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz isn't ducking a fight with surging contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, but the smart move is to wait for a title bout with champion Anthony Pettis. 

At least that's the word coming from Diaz's manager Mike Kogan, who said as much in an interview with MMA Junkie's Steven Marrocco. 

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“We could be looking at a title fight,” Kogan said. “I think it’s a smart business decision to sit around for a little bit ... Pettis already said he wanted to fight Nate. Why does he want to fight Nate? He knows it’s a money fight. That’s the name of the game. Who else would bring that much money? (Benson) Henderson? F–k no."

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Kogan also took umbrage with UFC president Dana White tweeting that Diaz recently turned down a fight with Nurmagomedov, stating that wasn't exactly what happened. 

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"So now we’re forced to defend ourselves,” he said. “I thought these kind of conversations were kept between us in private. We asked for a new contract. They said, ‘Not after one win. That’s not happening.’ OK, cool, we’ll turn down this fight, which is our right to do, according to our contract. I don’t know how this turns into, everybody is scared to fight Khabib.”

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Later in the interview, Kogan stated that Nurmagomedov "hasn't paid his dues in the UFC yet" to earn a fight with someone like Diaz. 

While there appears to be plenty of bad blood between Diaz and Pettis, it seems overzealous to proclaim Diaz, the No. 5 lightweight in the UFC's official rankings, ready for another shot at UFC gold. 

The Cesar Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is 1-2 in his past three fights, defeating former two-time title challenger Gray Maynard and getting crushed by top contenders Benson Henderson (who was then the champion) and Josh Thomson.

While Nurmagomedov boasts a rarely seen 21-0 record, including five straight victories inside the Octagon, he lacks a signature win over a big-name opponent that would likely propel him to a title shot.

Pettis, who is expected to be on the sidelines until at least mid-2014 with a knee injury, is currently riding a four-fight win streak (with three finishes in a row) and has won eight of his past nine bouts.

"Showtime" captured the lightweight title when he defeated Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in August, locking up a picture perfect armbar from guard late in the first round.

Which fight makes more sense: Diaz vs. Nurmagomedov or Diaz vs. Pettis with the title on the line?

John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.