Khabib won’t return before March

Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently recovering from a rib injury that forced him out of his TUF 22 Finale bout against Tony Ferguson later this month.

While ‘The Eagle’ hoped to return to the Octagon sooner rather than later, he now realizes his rib injury will take longer to heal.

He spoke to Sportbox.ru:

“At that moment [a few weeks ago], I thought that everything would be easier. Now I understand that February 6 – this is early. I’m one hundred percent sure that there will not be a fight because I can see how hard it is to recover after a rib injury.

“So by the end of December I will be in good health. And in the beginning of January, I will proceed with hard training. I will not accept the fight before March.”

Should Nurmagomedov successfully make a return to the UFC, he will likely earn himself a title shot against the winner of Cerrone vs. Dos Anjos.