Khabib Nurmagomedov

By FCF Staff

UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov has avoided fighting during Ramadan, and the devout Muslim typically doesn’t compete until well after the holy month concludes. Recently, the highly regarded fighter outlined why he doesn’t fight for multiple weeks after Ramadan ends.

This past weekend Nurmagomedov spoke with the media at an event for Dominance MMA, his management team. While discussing Ramadan, and his decision to not compete during and until well after the holy month ends, the champion said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“Ramadan, I take like a little bit off training – but I’m still (MMA) training, too,” Nurmagomedov said. “I spend this time with family, parents, go to the mosque, pray, and day (to) night fasting. And, of course, we’re training, too.

“It’s very hard and very dangerous, too. All day, you don’t drink and you don’t eat. Injuries can come. That’s why we (don’t have) too much contact, and without sparring. It’s still hard.”

“After Ramadan, we need minimum 45 days to recover – athletes, not (non-athletes) because we compete at a high level, and that’s why we have to watch everything” Nurmagomedov said. “After Ramadan, 40, 45 days we need recovery because times change, a lot of things like food, how you eat, when you eat. A lot of things change. We need one and a half months for recovery.”

Nurmagomedov is booked to fight former interim champ Tony Ferguson on April 18th at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York. Ramadan begins one week after the event.