UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov shed some light on his next potential fight date, venue, and opponent.
According to UFC president Dana White, it is expected that lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will be back in action in September. However, no concrete plans have been set for the reigning 155-pound champion.
But according the “The Eagle” himself, the UFC is already brewing something up for him.
”Yes, we are working on this,” told RT Sports of his next fight. “Yes, we are working on this. UFC told me that they are working on this. I just came back from Dubai.
“And very soon news is coming. Very soon.”
However, he says he laid out one condition for his return, which involves two of his comrades who were also suspended for the post-fight brawl in October.
”[Zubaira Tukgugov and my cousin Abubakar] either have to fight with me on the same event or before me, it is the main term of my comeback,” Khabib said.
A rematch against Conor McGregor may be off the table right now, but there is no shortage of in challengers for the undefeated titleholder. Khabib is fully aware of that fact, and even has a potential opponent in mind already.
”[Holloway and Poirier] are fighting for the interim belt, and the champion has to face the interim champion,” he said. “Tony Ferguson can’t fight at the moment, (Georges) St-Pierre is retired, McGregor is retired, a boxing match with Mayweather is not happening as we couldn’t come to an agreement with UFC.
“Holloway and Poirier are great fighters; I will fight the winner of this bout.”
But between the two, Khabib does have a preference.
”Holloway has a 13-fight winning streak, if he beats Poirier it will be 14 wins in a row, which is the longest active winning streak in the UFC,” he explained. “If he wins he will also be a two-weight champion. Fans would also be more interested in a Holloway fight.”
Khabib’s nine-month suspension for his involvement in the UFC 229 brawl will end in July.