Khabib Nurmagomedov

By FCF Staff

There has been plenty of discussion about when Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight again, following the tragic passing of his father, but Dana White’s reporting the lightweight champ will compete in October.

After Justin Gaethje won the UFC’s interim lightweight title in May by defeating Tony Ferguson, the expectation was he’d face Nurmagomedov in September.

But, earlier this month, Khabib’s father Abdulmanap died from complications related to COVID-19. That left the September timeline in doubt.

Recently White spoke with CNN, however, and he reported Nurmagomedov (28-0) and Gaethje (22-2) are going to fight on October 24th. A venue for the card has yet to be determined (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“It’s going to happen, I tell you right here, right now,” White said. “That fight’s going to happen: Khabib vs. Gaethje, October 24.”

The CNN report notes that Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov, could not be reached for comment.

Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought since September, 2019, when he submitted Dustin Poirier.