[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] has September on his mind.
In an Instagram post Sunday, the UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) hinted at September as a potentially important month. Though skeptical, Nurmagomedov said he is still training in anticipation of a UFC return.
Nurmagomedov wrote in Russian (translated through Instagram translate function), “But until September, it’s not too far, though it’s hard to believe that everything will end by September, but yet one serious person said: that in the peaceful time you have to prepare for war – And how are your days going?”
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to be one half of the UFC 249 main event on April 18. However, due to coronavirus travel restrictions, Nurmagomedov was unable to leave his native Russia. Ultimately, Nurmagomedov was removed from his fight against Tony Ferguson. Although Justin Gaethje replaced Nurmagomedov, the event was eventually canceled.
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Outside of UFC 249, all upcoming events have also been indefinitely postponed. The UFC has not given a timetable to resume events, though UFC president Dana White has hinted at “fight island” being a possibility for mid-May. Nurmagomedov recognizes the muslim holiday of Ramadan, which limits months he can fight in. This year, the month of fasting runs from April 23 to May 23.
The most recent time Nurmagomedov competed was in September 2019 at UFC 242. The undefeated Russian fighter defeated Dustin Poirier by third-round submission.
Check out Nurmagomedov’s Instagram post below:
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