SURREY, British Columbia – Khabib Nurmagomedov is confused by the UFC’s current bookings in the lightweight division.
Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC), a former UFC lightweight champion, has seen his good friend and protege Islam Makhachev takes the reigns in the weight class following his retirement in October 2020. Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) has already reeled off two title defenses – both against Alexander Volkanovski – and has seemingly been eagerly awaiting his next foe.
Many people, including Nurmagomedov, thought UFC would put together Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje for the first quarter of this year. Instead, Gaethje was booked for a BMF title defense vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 on April 13, with former champion Charles Oliveira set to take on the surging Armen Tsarukyan on the same card in Las Vegas.
