UFC president Dana White has announced a date for the anticipated fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje for the UFC lightweight championship.
In speaking with CNN’s Don Riddell, White announced the championship fight would take place on Saturday, October 24th with no location official yet.
It’s going to happen, tell you right here right now. That fight is going to happen. Khabib vs. Gaethje, October 24.
Nurmagomedov has not fought since September 2019 when he defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi while improving his undefeated record to 28-0.
Gaethje (22-2), became the next contender for the championship following his victory over Tony Ferguson this past May at UFC 249 with a fifth-round stoppage. He has won his previous four fights with wins against James Vick, Edson Barboza, Donald Cerrone, and Ferguson.
Earlier this month, Nurmagomedov lost his father Abdulmanap who had been hospitalized after heart surgery. His father also served as his coach and the two had an extremely close relationship.