UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight Justin Gaethje on October 24.
Speaking to CNN, White all-but confirmed the news we were all waiting for by saying the fight is definitely going to happen.
He said: “It's going to happen, tell you right here right now. That fight is going to happen.”
Khabib is still coping with the tragic loss of his father, and speaking on that matter, White said the following: “It's been very rough on him.
“His father was a hero to him, he loved his father, they had a very close relationship and it was very hard on him.”
However, it seems that we won't have to wait too long to see The Eagle back in the cage doing what he does best.
Khabib was obviously scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson earlier this year, but in classic Khabib vs Ferguson fashion, the fight was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fifth time this fight has fallen through.
With the lightweight champion stranded in his homeland of Russia, a replacement was needed... in stepped Gaethje.
To everyone's surprise, the late replacement then defeated Ferguson, putting himself in line for a shot against the champion, and pretty much ending the dream of a Khabib/Ferguson fight once and for all.
Due to that win, it now means that we have Gaethje vs Khabib in the near future, and that's a fight we can all get behind.
GIVEMESPORT's Alex Batt says...
It's the fight we all want to see happen, and if it does indeed go ahead in October, then what a treat we have!
Whether it still be on Fight Island, or whether there's a way we can get fans involved, it will still be a must-see fight and one that a lot of UFC fans will be waiting for.
Can Gaethje shock the world once more and defeat Khabib? I'm not so sure... but he will 100% give it his best shot.
For me, though, there's only one winner, and that is Khabib. His wrestling skills and ability to control a fight and an opponent will be too much on the night and he'll get the job done either by submission or on points.
Expect an emotional Khabib going into his first fight night without his father by his side, but expect the same Khabib when the bell rings.