Khabib Nurmagomedov Planning UFC Return In Spring 2016

UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov has no plans to retire, despite a career-threatening rib injury that made him pull out of his fight against Tony Ferguson at The Ultimate Fighter 22 finale in December. He says he’s recovered from the injury, and his dad told him not to give up until he becomes a world champion.

“Now I’m going through rehabilitation in Moscow, but it is coming to an end,” Nurmagomedov told Sportbox.ru. “I took a vacation throughout November, and in December I will slowly begin to regain form.”

According to Nurmagomedov, we can expect to see him back in the octagon sometime after March 1st, 2016.

“At that moment [a few weeks ago], I thought that everything would be easier. Now I understand that February 6 – this is early. I’m one hundred percent sure that there will not be a fight because I can see how hard it is to recover after a rib injury. So by the end of December I will be in good health. And in the beginning of January, I will proceed with hard training. I will not accept the fight before March.”

The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale takes place on December 11th in Las Vegas at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan.

Related: Nate Diaz Brags About “B*tch-Slapping” Khabib Nurmagomedov At WSOF 22

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