Khabib Nurmagomedov Reveals Possible Date for UFC Return

Khabib Nurmagomedov is hopeful of a UFC return for September later this year. The Lightweight kingpin, however, is not sure if the pandemic will be gone by then.

Khabib posted the news on Instagram. He said that he was sceptical whether Coronavirus will still be around by then or not. However, he added that he is still training to fight.

“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?” Khabib wrote on his Instagram in Russian.

Khabib Nurmagomedov was supposed to put his belt on the line against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 later this month. After a lot of back and forth, the UFC decided to remove him from the event. A government-imposed ban on flying had stranded Khabib in Russia.

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The UFC roped in Justin Gaethje as a replacement for Khabib. Later on, Disney’s intervention led to the scrapping of the card altogether. Further UFC events have also been put on hold. However, UFC President Dana White has hinted that “fight island” will be up and running by mid-May.

Ramadan is the key factor behind September return for Khabib Nurmagomedov

Being a Muslim, Khabib fasts during the month of Ramadan, which falls between April 23 and May 23 this year. The fasting takes a toll on his body. Consequently, he needs time to recover to get back to training.

In an interview with ESPN, Khabib mentioned that he would require about forty-five days to regain his strength to begin training. Forty-five days after May 23 is July 7. Assuming Khabib starts preparing on this day itself, an eight-week fight camp would make him ready around September.

Similarly last year, Ramadan ended on June 3. Khabib made his return to the Octagon against Dustin Poirier on September 7. The submission victory against Poirier was Khabib’s last UFC fight.

If Khabib is to return in September, the UFC will have to find a worthy opponent for him. How UFC 249 played has left many things unsolved. Justin Gaethje is in the mix as well. When it becomes possible to hold an event, the UFC will have to decide if they want to book Gaethje vs Ferguson again or push for Khabib vs Tony for the sixth time.