Khabib Nurmagomedov fighting at UFC 242 could hinge on Wednesday’s NSAC meeting

The octagon will return to Abu Dhabi on September 7 for UFC 242, and a lightweight title unification bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier is expected to headline the card.

With that said, Khabib’s willingness to participate on the Abu Dhabi fight card could hinge on the upcoming Nevada State Athletic Commisssion meeting set for May 22.

Nurmagomedov’s teammates Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov are set to face the NSAC to have their cases reheard by officals.

Abubakar and Tukhugov were handed one year suspensions for their involvement in the post-fight brawl which occured after Khabib’s fourth-round submission victory over Conor McGregor last October at UFC 229.

Photo via Daily Express

Khabib Nurmagomedov, who received a nice month suspension for involvement in the melee, has remained adamant that he will not step foot inside the octagon again until the suspensions of his teammate have either been completed or lifted.

On Wednesday, the Nevada State Athetic Commission will rehear the cases of both Abubakar and Tukhugov and then make a decision regarding their punishments.

Team Nurmagomedov is hopeful that the athletes will receive either reduced suspensions or have their cases ceased for time already served.

If both men, Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov, have their suspensions lifted, it will open the door for Khabib Nurmagmedov to formally agree to a title unification bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 on September 7 in Abu Dhabi.

Dustin Poirier recently claimed the UFC’s interim lightweight title by defeating current featherweight title holder Max Holloway via unanimous decision at UFC 236 in Atlanta.

As for Khabib, the undefeated Russian sports a perfect professional record of 27-0, which included eleven career octagon victories.

Who do you think will emerge victorious if Dustin Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov square off for the promotions undisputed lightweight title at UFC 242 this fall in Abu Dhabi? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!