Khabib Nurmagomedov Eyes May Return, Wants Bout With Cerrone
Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov is currently 6-0 in the UFC and 22-0 overall, while being the No. 2-ranked lightweight in the rankings. The Dagestan-born grappler could arguably deserve a title shot, if it wasn’t for a knee injury he suffered in late 2014 that has kept him out of action ever since.
Before getting injured, “The Eagle” had verbally agreed to fight surging lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, but the bout was obviously scrapped when Nurmagomedov was injured. It was recently announced that the UFC is still targeting that bout for May. This looks to be perfect timing, as Nurmagomedov is aiming to return in May, and actually has his whole year planned out as well:
“This is my plan,” Nurmagomedov told MMAFighting.com. “I want, in this year, three fights — Cerrone, after that I fight for the belt and after that I defend the belt.”
This is quite a bold plan, but maybe not an unrealistic one from the undefeated star. He has said that he has been rehabbing his knee in Las Vegas and has recently resumed training at 100%. Nurmagomedov also noted that he feels he has some unfinished business with Cerrone, and that the fight makes sense:
“I told them this is a very good matchup,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m No. 2, he’s No. 3. Who wins gets a title shot.”
Despite the long layoff, the Dagestani fighter has not laid low in regards to media. He may not have been able to train, but he has improved other parts of his game including marketing himself and speaking more well-rounded English.
Nurmagomedov has been seen on twitter numerous times voicing his opinions, and calling out Cerrone and even Anthony Pettis. However, he confirms that this is not trash talk, but rather the truth which he speaks:
“I’m not a trash talker,” Nurmagomedov said. “I say truth, you understand? I say and I do. Why was Muhammad Ali the greatest? Because he say and he do. I am 22-0. I am not 22-10.”
As far as speaking English goes, “The Eagle” believes it is crucial to his professional success and his connection with his fans. He even said that he no longer speaks Russian when he’s in the United States, only English:
“English for me is very important,” Nurmagomedov said. “I speak with my fans, everything. I like English.”
The last time we saw “The Eagle” in action, he scored a unanimous decision over now title challenger Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 11 last April. Dos Anjos will meet Pettis in March at UFC 185.
Nurmagomedov wouldn’t mind jumping straight into a bout with Pettis when he returns, but he knows that may be unlikely and he once again confirmed his interest in a fight with Cerrone:
“I want Cerrone,” Nurmagomedov said
Do you see “The Eagle” wearing UFC gold by the end of the year?
