Khabib Nurmagomedov unveils future plans following UFC 209

UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov recently was forced to pull out of his scheduled UFC 209 interim lightweight title fight after he was hospitalized with issues regarding his liver.

While there were conflicting reports regarding Nurmagomedov’s future, with teammate Luke Rockhold informing the media that Nurmagomedov was looking to return soon, while Nurmagomedov’s father reportedly was considering pushing his son to retire.

Now, in an interview on The MMA Hour, Nurmagomedov spoke about his future following his UFC 209 withdrawal, saying:

“I don’t think I was cutting too much weight. I make 155 against Michael Johnson and I feel very good. I make weight before, no problem. After March 3, I can’t make weight because this is not about diet. I think this is about my health.”

“I just came from Germany and I need like three or five months to make my body the same. This week I am going to Germany and fix everything. This is not about cutting weight, it’s about my health. I have to make rehab for three or five months and I think I can fight in September.”

“I know a lot of people are upset about his, a lot of fans are upset about this because this is very big fight. A lot of people working for this fight, I know they are upset and I want to say sorry about everything. But I come back, I am going to come back, I feel different motivation everything. I am going to check my weight, check and fix my body and I know for sure I am going to come back.”

with his difficulties making weight, many questioned if Nurmagomedov would move up to welterweight.

“I will only fight at 155. I want to show world I can become UFC lightweight champion. This is my motivation,” he concluded.”