Khabib Nurmagomedov hasn’t been in the Octagon in nearly a full year. The last time ‘The Eagle’ was in the Octagon, he defeated Rafael Dos Anjos via unanimous decision.
Following the win, it was announced that Nurmagomedov would fight Donald Cerrone, in what many believed to be a #1 contender matchup. However, less than an hour after the bout was announced, Nurmagomedov injured himself training, and was forced to undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Despite being sidelined with an injury, Nurmagomedov has managed to keep his name in headlines by calling out UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis on numerous occasions.
Now, he spoke to MMAFighting about his plans to win, and defend, the UFC lightweight championship by the end of 2015.
“This is my plan. I want, in this year, three fights: Cerrone, after that I fight for the belt, and after that I defend the belt.”
“I told them this is a very good matchup. I’m No. 2, he’s (Cerrone) No. 3. Who wins gets a title shot.”
“I’m not a trash talker. I say truth, you understand? I say and I do. Why was Muhammad Ali the greatest? Because he say and he do. I am 22-0. I am not 22-10.”