The UFC has successfully organized its 3rd event out of 4 on Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island. The main event saw Deiveson Figueiredo claim the UFC Flyweight Championship in a dominant display. However, the media seemed more interested in what’s next. They quizzed Dana White regarding the Middleweight Championship bout and the status of Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

As per reports, Israel Adesanya will defend his belt against Paulo Costa at UFC 253 on September 19. Many believed that the company had reserved this event for the Lightweight unification bout featuring ‘The Eagle’ and Interim Champion Justin Gaethje. 

Dana White did not completely dismiss the Middleweight bout and even said that the fighters were told not to talk about it. But, the question remains regarding the presence of another Championship fight on the same card. 

In this regard, the UFC President reiterated his position by implying that the Dagestani fighter needs to call him. This is because he has opted to give ‘The Eagle’ time to drive following the untimely death of his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov will have the say on when he wants to fight

Via MMA Junkie, White said, “You just said I thought you said you were going to leave him alone. When’s he fighting, you’re asking me when’s he fighting. I said I wasn’t going to bother. He’s gonna fight when he calls me.”

At this point, White got asked if there’s a time limit before ‘The Eagle’ must fight or Gaethje must defend his interim belt. White responded, “Khabib’s dad just died, his dad just died. You know what I mean. When’s he’s ready, he’ll let me know.” 

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As of now, the ball is in Khabib’s court as all he needs to do is pick up the phone when he is ready to fight. 

Read- “Pure Violence!” – Dana White Highly Impressed With Deiveson Figueiredo

The UFC is not averse to doing multiple title fights on one night. This was seen at the UFC 251 PPV which featured 3 title fights on the card. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last Octagon appearance came in September 2019. On the night he defeated Dustin Poirier to claim ‘The Diamond’s Interim belt and unify it with his full belt. 

Now he must fight another Interim Champion in Justin Gaethje. ‘The Highlight’ dismantled Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 to earn the shot. Pundits and fans alike view him as someone who can compete with ‘The Eagle’ even if or rather when the fight goes to the ground. 

Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje will compete in September on the same card as the proposed Adesanya-Costa fight?