Abu Dhabi looks set to be the location
Khabib Nurmagomedov has confirmed that his next fight will be a unification clash with the winner of the upcoming interim lightweight title bout between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.
The undefeated Russian is currently suspended for his role in the UFC 229 post-fight melee and while he is free to return to action in the summer, he intends to sit out in solidarity with his banned teammates, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov.
‘The Eagle’ has revealed that talks are currently underway for a September return in Abu Dhabi but insists that the main term for his comeback is for his teammates to compete on the same card or beforehand.
“Yes, we are working on this,” told RT Sports of his next fight. “UFC told me that they are working on this. I just came back from Dubai.
“And very soon news is coming. Very soon.”
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Nurmagomedov was recently contacted by UFC President Dana White and warned of his conduct for an increasingly hostile war of words with Conor McGregor on social media.
McGregor, who seemingly made a U-turn on last week’s decision to retire, has intimated that he will be getting a rematch with Nurmagomedov but the UFC lightweight champion expects to meet the winner of the UFC 236 main event.
“[Holloway and Poirier] are fighting for the interim belt, and the champion has to face the interim champion,” he said. “Tony Ferguson can’t fight at the moment, (Georges) St-Pierre is retired, McGregor is retired, a boxing match with Mayweather is not happening as we couldn’t come to an agreement with UFC.
“Holloway and Poirier are great fighters; I will fight the winner of this bout.”
