It may be three months away and it may not be official yet but Khabib Nurmagomedov has started his camp for his UFC lightweight unification bout with the interim champion, Dustin Poirier.

This is according to his coach, Javier Mendez. The AKA Head Coach has taken to Instagram in the last few hours to say he’s excited to start the training camp with Khabib.

The UFC lightweight champion hasn’t fought since defending his title against Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Khabib’s nine month suspension ends next month for his part in the brawl that followed his win in the main event.

‘The Eagle’ had stated that he would not fight whilst his teammates Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov were still suspended, after they both received twelve month suspensions for their part in the UFC 229 fracas.

However, in a hearing in Las Vegas last month, both Abubakar and Zubaira had their suspensions reduced by 35 days by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Meaning their suspensions would come to an end just before UFC 242.

UFC 242 goes down on September 7th, in Abu Dhabi.

Poirier beat Max Holloway via unanimous decision at UFC 236, to become the UFC interim lightweight champion. And in doing so, earned the next shot at Khabib.

Khabib has a perfect record of 27-0 in MMA. Does Poirier (25-5) have what it takes to be the first man to beat the champion?

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