Khabib Nurmagomedov eyeing late 2018 return against Conor McGregor or GSP
NEW UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is eyeing an autumn return to the Octagon.
Nurmagomedov claimed the lightweight title last month in the main event of UFC 223, defeating late replacement Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision.
The Dagestan native is currently on a break from extensive training due to Ramadan, but that hasn't stopped him from holding talks with the UFC brass about his next fight, which he's hopeful of having in early September or early October.
“A lot of people ask me about my next fight. To be honest, I don’t know," Nurmagomedov said during a live chat.
"I don’t know when it’s going to be. Now we talk about this with the UFC.
"It’s going to be maybe 9 September or 6 October."
A host of big names in the lightweight division are in contention to be the first man to challenge Nurmagomedov for the lightweight strap, most notably the division's former ruler Conor McGregor.
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is also in the frame after being called out by Nurmagomedov at UFC 223.
UFC's Khabib Nurmagomedov wrestles a BEAR
It’s going to be maybe 9 September or 6 October.
Nurmagomedov doesn't have any idea who he'll face in his first title defence at this moment in time and isn't fussed about who the UFC puts in front of him.
“I don’t know about opponent; Conor, GSP, whoever. It doesn’t matter, we’ll see,” he continued.
“Next couple of weeks it’s going to be very fun because now we’re beginning to talk about my next fight with the UFC.
"I feel great, I feel good.
“Now we have Ramadan and we train only night and feeling good and great.
“My weight is good, my shape is good. I am always training every day, sometimes I train two times.”
Nurmagomedov’s revealing of his negotiations with the UFC comes a few days after the promotion's president, Dana White, claimed he can foresee a fight between Nurmagomedov and McGregor coming to fruition.
“I’m pretty confident that that is the fight that Conor wants and I’m pretty confident that’s is the fight Khabib wants,” White said during the UFC Fight Night 130 press conference.
“I can see that happening.”