Manager: Khabib will fight Gaethje ‘before the end of the year’

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Manager Ali Abdelaziz gives an update on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s current status.

As far as Dana White is concerned, Khabib Nurmagomedov is shelved for the time being. The UFC is allowing “The Eagle” to mourn the untimely passing of his father Abdulmanap early this month.

There is also talks about the uncertainty of Khabib’s career, now that his long-time mentor is gone. Manager Ali Abdelaziz went on to clarify everything in a recent conversation with TMZ Sports.

“Khabib is not retiring. Khabib has some goals to accomplish,” he said (transcript by MMA Mania). “You will see him before the end of the year. Now him and Dana are talking and me talking to the matchmaker and we are trying to set a date. I’m sure Dana is going to let everybody know when Khabib is going to fight.”

Abdelaziz handles both Khabib and Gaethje under Dominance MMA. What he’s assured right now is that his two champions will fight in 2020.

“We have a blockbuster main event against Justin Gaethje. Two of the best lightweight in the world today in the recent era,” he said of his clients. “We’ve seen what Khabib does to all of his opponents. We’ve seen what Justin Gaehtje did to his last opponent. He made him look like an absolute amateur and that’s the best two guys in the world. They are going to fight.

“You will see Khabib and Justin fight before the end of the year for sure.”

Khabib’s return was originally intended for UFC 253 on September 19th in Las Vegas.