Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates following his UFC 223 victory. Photo from BBC.co.uk
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje scheduled for October 24 according to Dana White
It appears that we are going to get the unification fight for the UFC’s lightweight title later this Fall. During an appearance on CNN on Tuesday, UFC President Dana White revealed that champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will face interim champion Justin Gaethje on October 24, although no venue has been given for the fight.
This will be the first fight for Nurmagomedov since the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Following the passing of his father, there were questions about the fighting future for Nurmagomedov, who is 28-0 in his career, but his manager confirmed earlier this month that he still planned to face Gaethje and now a date is set.
When speaking to CNN, White admitted that this time period has been rough for Nurmagomedov because he and his father were extremely close.
“It’s been very rough on him. His father was a hero to him. He loved his father. They had a very, very close relationship, and it was very hard on him.”
Despite the tragic passing, White says everything is set and the two champions will meet to unify the 155-pound lightweight championship in October.
“It’s going to happen, I tell you right here, right now. That fight’s going to happen. Khabib vs Gaethje, October 24.”
The UFC just returned from their Fight Island events which took place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, which is the same location where Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in September of 2019. With no venue announced by White, the company could look to bring their superstar champion back to Abu Dhabi for this upcoming title defense.
Back at UFC 249 in May, Gaethje won the interim title in a fight against Tony Ferguson, who had been scheduled to fight Nurmagomedov five separate times, but the fight never came together. Since coming into the UFC, Gaethje has wins over the likes of Ferguson, Donald Cerrone, and Edson Barboza, but has also suffered the only two professional losses of his career to Dustin Poirier, and Eddie Alvarez.
