Khabib Nurmagomedov Says UFC Is Planning An Event In Abu Dhabi In September

While Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor keep throwing personal insults at each other on Twitter, UFC is quietly laying the ground-working for the UFC Lightweight Champion’s next fight. Khabib hasn’t fought since his UFC 229 win over Conor McGregor – a controversial win that saw Khabib Nurmagomedov jump the cage and attack Conor’s teammates. The Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Khabib a nine-month suspension, and the Dagestani fighter will be ready to make his comeback in September.

Khabib was asked about his next fight, and if the rumours about him fighting in Abu Dhabi next were true. While ‘Eagle’ did not confirm whether or not he will be fighting for sure, he did say that there were discussions on-going, and there would be fight news “very soon”.

“Yes, we are working on this”, Nurmagomedov confirmed to RT Sport News. “UFC told me that they are working on this. I just came back from Dubai. And very soon news is coming. Very soon”, he added.

Khabib also revealed that the main stumbling block remain the suspensions of his teammates Zubaira Tukgugov and cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who both received one-year suspensions by the NSAC for their involvement in the UFC 229 melee.

“[Tukgugov and Abubakar] either have to fight with me on the same event or before me, it is the main term of my comeback”, he said.

Khabib Nurmagomedov further revealed that he expects to face the winner of Max Holloway – Dustin Poirier, who face each other in the main event of UFC 236 for the interim lightweight title.

“[Holloway and Poirier] are fighting for the interim belt, and the champion has to face the interim champion. 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.”

“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, if he wins he will also be a two weight champion. Fans would also be more interested in a Holloway fight”.

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