Russia’s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed on Tuesday that he planned to hold his next bout in September.
Speaking with students at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow, Nurmagomedov said "We are currently holding negotiations and I want to be back fighting in September."
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) President Dana White announced last week that the Russian fighter was expected to be back fighting to defend his champion’s belt in September. According to Dana White, "It’s one of the things with him anyways, he’s on suspension and then he doesn’t fight during Ramadan [to be observed between May 5 and June 3]. That puts him at September."
"I said earlier that they must return fighting before I may my comeback because they have been slapped by suspensions because of me," Nurmagomedov said.
"They offered me big money if I refuse my words and come back fighting much earlier," the Russian fighter added.