“These two years, almost two years, were very hard time for me. I think people don’t understand it. I think this is understand only (by) Dominick Cruz. Dominick Cruz understands my mind, what I feel. Everything. This is only one guy who understands me, that I’m very hungry. I’ve never spoken with him, I’ve never meet this guy, but you know, this guy is one of the greatest of all-time and I want to meet him. I speak with Daniel Cormier about him. Daniel Cormier say he’s very good guy, very humble, and he understands MMA very good. I think that’s why his mental (strength), in my opinion, is very tough. Nobody can beat him about mental (strength), and I think that’s why he comes back very strong.”
That somewhat broken English (transcribed by MMAfighting.com via the MMA Hour) comes from undefeated UFC lightweight competitor Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has been sidelined for 21 months with injuries that have forced him to pull out of three scheduled fights. The 27-year-old Dagestani fighter is 22-0 in his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career, including six inside the Octagon. His last victory came against current lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos back in April of 2014. If anybody could inspire the Russian to shake off the cage rust and continue his quest for UFC gold it would be UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, who spent most of the past four years with a plague of injuries. Cruz shocked many MMA observers with the improbable defeat of T.J. Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night 81, using his elusive footwork to outlast the former champion. Nurmagomedov was briefly linked to a fight with Tony Ferguson, against whom he withdrew at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale due to injury, however Ferguson has since agreed to fight Michael Johnson at UFC 197. The “Eagle” has since called out Eddie Alvarez, who defeated Anthony Pettis at UFC Fight Night 81, for a number one contender fight. Who do you see welcoming Nurmagomedov back to UFC? And do you think he can be as successful as Cruz? Sound off below!