A recent broken rib left injury-plagued lightweight star Khabib Nurmagomedov questioning whether he would ever fight again in the UFC recently, but it seems that after taking some time to collect his thoughts that he’s now committed to returning in 2016.
“Fighting is in my blood, it is my life and this is what I do best in my life,” the Daghestani fighter told Ariel Helwani.
At the weekend the 28 year-old Nurmagomedov revealed that he was going to leave a decision regarding potentially retiring to his father, who is also his coach, and it appears he gave the green light for him to continue.
Nurmagomedov last fought in April of 2014, defeating Rafael dos Anjos, who’s since gone on to become the division’s new champion while he himself has been left on the treatment table recovering from two knee injuries. With a perfect 22-0 career record ‘The Eagle’ is one of the divisions leading contenders, still ranked No.3 despite his long absence.
Nurmagomedov is now targeting a return to action in February, though his hope of fighting Al Iaquinta has been nixed after it was revealed that the former TUF finalist is going to be out until at least next summer due to knee surgery of his own.
There’s plenty of other potential opponents for Nurmagomedov out there, though few will relish the prospect of facing the exceptionally dominant wrestler in the Octagon.
