Agent: Khabib wants to fight 3 times in next 11 months
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is aiming to fight three times over the next 11 months, his agent said on Sunday.
"He gave me very specific instructions," Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "He said he wants to fight Sept. 7, and again in December. And if Georges St-Pierre can figure things out with the UFC by April, that's the deal. He would like that fight in April."
Nurmagomedov has been out of action since October when he successfully defended his belt against Conor McGregor. He received a nine-month suspension, which expires in early July, for his role in the post-fight melee that ensued with McGregor.
"The Eagle" is expected to face interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier when he returns. A rematch with McGregor afterward is unlikely, Abdelaziz said.
"To be honest, Conor is going to have to go out there and fight somebody like Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson or Cowboy (Donald Cerrone). He's not a worthy enough opponent right now. That's the feeling from all of us, as a team."
An eventual bout against St-Pierre seems even more improbable, as the decorated fighter announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in December.
"The lightweight division has a lot of contenders and we need to keep the division going," Abdelaziz added. "Khabib has done this before. He fought (Edson Barboza), Al (Iaquinta), and Conor in less than one year. If it can be Georges in April, he would love that fight. If not, it can be any contender."
Nurmagomedov owns an 11-0 record in the UFC, and he's 27-0 as a professional overall.