Quickly shifting from prospect to contender, Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to step things up from here on out. The Dagestani impressed in his April rout of Rafael dos Anjos, and is looking to test himself on a bigger stage.
“I was really relaxed,” says Nurmagomedov in an interview with M1 Global. “It felt like sparring to me. I even felt I didn’t warm up enough. We had a plan and I was able to execute it 100%. Train hard, fight easy. As you could see I was victorious.
“It was probably the first fight when I felt I could go five rounds. Even when the referee raised my hand I thought about five rounds. I feel I’m ready for it. Before a title fight I’d really like to headline an even to test myself in a five-round bout.”
Having appeared on the main card of a UFC event just twice, Nurmagomedov reportedly turned down a headlining slot opposite Donald Cerrone for the promotion’s Jul. 16 Fight Night event in Atlantic City. The devout Muslim opted to forgo a training camp during the observance of this summer’s Ramadan. Spanning Jun. 28 to Jul. 28, practitioners abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.
“The beginning of September would be just perfect for me,” says Nurmagomedov. “I need 40 days after Ramadan to prepare for a fight. I keep myself in shape during Ramadan but of course I can’t train enough. I was offered a fight right at the end of Ramadan but it’s a bad timing for me as I’ll be starving for one month. The end of August, beginning of September will be fine.”
Sitting at No. 4 in the UFC’s lightweight rankings, Nurmagomedov believes he’s just a fight away from a title shot.
“I need another fight before I can fight for the belt. [Gilbert] Melendez is fighting [Anthony] Pettis so the next fight for a champion will happen in May [2015] or so. I can’t wait that long. I need another fight before the end of 2014. If Allah gives me a victory then I’ll wait for a title fight.
“Against whom? I don’t know. It could be the winner of [Donald] Cerrone vs. [Jim] Miller, Michael Johnson, Nate Diaz or T.J. Grant. Anything can happen. I’ll wait for the UFC to call me.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Cleared. Anthony Pettis resumes training following an operation to repair a torn PCL in December.
Jacare at 100%. Ronaldo Souza is fully recovered from elbow surgery and wants Vitor Belfort or the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida.
Licensing Belfort. Vitor Belfort is confident he won’t have any issues being licensed in the state of Nevada. ‘What I want now is get licenses in every state because the UFC is a global company, and I want to fight whenever there’s a fight. If I need a license to fight in Mars, I’m ready.’
Training Camp Journal. Get an inside look at MIchael Chandler’s preparation ahead of his Bellator interim title bout.
Venom. Michael Page isn’t quite Anderson Silva, but he’s another reason to care about Bellator 120. ‘When you look at Michael, honestly, he’ll provoke a reaction. You’re either going to love him or hate him.’
MEDIA STEW
Bruce Lee in EA UFC. Getting nervous about gameplay?
News and notes from UFC Tonight.
Frank Dux says he was the inspiration to create the UFC.
Royce Gracie talks fear.
Nice profile on Eddie Ng.
Free Fight: Jake Ellenberger vs Nate Marquardt.
Long watches.
TWEETS
Get well soon.
Great news today from Doc…no surgery needed on my shoulder right now. Thank u everyone for the support!!
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) May 14, 2014
To clear up any confusion.
Wow, some people don’t listen to what I say, they just “assume”. This is what I meant and you can get that from… http://t.co/LYLLDhxkGe
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) May 14, 2014
Nice.
This guy insisted that I fight. This guys called me when I was at my lowest point everyday. This guy… http://t.co/skAQwhaAO2
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 15, 2014
This got mean, quick.
@jessicaevileye @jisthrough2 @MieshaTate http://t.co/UEDUigamiv
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) May 14, 2014
@jessicaevileye @mmasarah @jisthrough2 great fight and you won Jess, let the haters hate!
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) May 14, 2014
.@MieshaTate @jisthrough2 interesting that this is what you respond to. You publicly call me out then seemingly run away
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) May 15, 2014
@mmasarah @Tetralexicon @MieshaTate lol your caddy person 😉 I am sorry your so bored in life. pic.twitter.com/jCluxJyGAS
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) May 14, 2014
@mmasarah @jisthrough2 @MieshaTate you lack of class & your a has been champion who try to make herself relevant by start bullshit.
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) May 14, 2014
@mmasarah @jisthrough2 @MieshaTate it was a close fight accept it were I won. here at Least you won this. #soreloser pic.twitter.com/t0QdXVZJlS
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) May 14, 2014
When people hear Sarah Kaufman crying about losing to me .. We all go http://t.co/zLq7cwlSXm #whocare #youlost #eyewin
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) May 14, 2014
Congrats.
Thanks everyone for the B-day wishes. Found my first chest hair today. Growing up. Feel like i’m gonna get my man strength finally.
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) May 15, 2014
Bless this cat.
Cats > Dogs http://t.co/9vRyu2VruN
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) May 14, 2014
Not done.
(4) I’m still here; still learning, still improving. There’s more to come. I’m not done yet.
— Rosi Sexton (@RosiSexton) May 14, 2014
Get it together, bros.
@DiegoSanchezUFC I tried to text you?
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) May 15, 2014
@DiegoSanchezUFC ya i text tou at like 3:30? My bad bro. Ill make it up to you i promise
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) May 15, 2014
Sounds like New York Ric.
This is what my daughter thinks about training #bjj … So much for the nature x nurture debate lol http://t.co/cNydIbNUdY
— ROBERT DRYSDALE (@robertdrysdale) May 15, 2014
Fight week poutine.
218lbs get to eat my last big meal. Yeahhhhhhhh! (at @KookyCanuck) http://t.co/euXhlMD7IP pic.twitter.com/CeZKqSTsnB
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) May 15, 2014
Yeesh.
“@Shits_Got_real: anyone have an idea who the new striking coach for team alpha male will be?” Its between Solange Knowles or Chris Brown.
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) May 15, 2014
It’s tough out there.
Lol @danawhite blocked me. I think all my fans was getting to him and didn’t want to here my name anymore, if he just listen 2 them.
— Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) May 10, 2014
Get big.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (May 14 2014)
Alex Caceres vs. Urijah Faber at UFC 175
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
Dan Miragliotta is the best ref in MMA. Here’s why.
Dan Miragliotta is the best ref in MMA. He possesses one key intangible. It’s called decision making. He has an uncanny ability to step in at the right moment to stop a fight. It’s never too early and it’s rarely if ever too late. His timing is impeccable and should be recognized and rewarded.
To say a ref is the best in the business should mean that they rarely make mistakes when it comes to stopping a fight. You can’t teach it. It’s clearly a judgement call that even the so called best MMA refs have struggled with. Look at some recent fights in the UFC and the questionable stoppages in some of the biggest fights.
Being a referee in any sport is thankless. You want pressure? Make a call late in a game that’s going to most likely influence the outcome of a game. When you’re talking MMA, the pressure is tenfold. Some refs to me get caught up in the magnitude of the moment and that clouds their judgement on when to stop a fight or to let it go on. It’s even more difficult a decision because MMA fighters are incredibly tough and can withstand more punishment than most other humans.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.