Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje pencilled in for September in blockbuster UFC lightweight title showdown – The Sun
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV is set to fight Justin Gaethje in September in a UFC lightweight title showdown, according to the Russian's manager.
Khabib was due to fight rival Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 but the undefeated MMA star was unable to travel because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It was the fifth time the two fighters had been due to get it on but a combination of injuries and unforeseen circumstances have meant the highly anticipated match-up is yet to materialise.
Gaethje stepped into Khabib's shoes to take on American Ferguson in the delayed UFC 249 on May 9.
US fan-favourite Gaethje pulled off a massive shock by defeating heavily-fancied Ferguson with a stunning fifth round KO.
As a result, the 31-year-old inherited the interim lightweight belt and earned a shot at Khabib – who has not fought since defeating Dustin Poirier last September – in the Octagon.
The Russian icon's manager told TASS: "We have a prospective month – it's September. The place of the fight and the exact date we don't yet know.
"Everything's still up in the air, as the dates of tournaments are still not confirmed. I must repeat that it's only a prospective fight date.
"Who else could be our opponent, other than Gaethje."
Gaethje mocked legendary Irish star and fellow lightweight Conor McGregor's retirement announcement, made in the aftermath of UFC 250 last weekend.
McGregor has twice previously said he was quitting the sport and it remains to be seen if his latest revelation is genuine.
The Irishman famously tapped out against Khabib in round four of their 2018 clash but American Gaethje believes he has the weaponry required to hand the Russian UFC champ his first defeat.
Khabib's father Abdulmanap is still in a critical condition after suffering a stroke caused by Covid-19 complications and his son is believed to have told medics to focus on his dad rather than testing him for the deadly disease.
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