Russia’s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed on Tuesday that he planned to hold his next bout in September.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Speaking with students at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow, Nurmagomedov said "We are currently holding negotiations and I want to be back fighting in September."

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) President Dana White announced last week that the Russian fighter was expected to be back fighting to defend his champion’s belt in September.

According to Dana White’s statement about Nurmagomedov, "It’s one of the things with him anyways, he’s on suspension and then he doesn’t fight during Ramadan [to be observed between May 5 and June 3]. That puts him at September."

Nurmagomedov’s team announced a week ago that no talks were held regarding a possible return bout with Ireland’s Connor McGregor. The famous 30-year-old Irish professional mixed martial arts fighter and boxer, Conor McGregor, announced his retirement earlier on March 26.

UFC Champion Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor during the UFC 229 tournament in Las Vegas on the night of October 6, 2018, defending his lightweight title with a choke in the 4th round of the fight.

However, after the fight in Las Vegas last October, a mass brawl broke out between the teams of both fighters, including Nurmagomedov, who jumped out of the cage and attempted to beat up one of the Irish opponent’s team members for insulting him.

Both athletes were slapped later with various sets of sanctions over this incident. A court in the US state of Nevada ordered a nine-month suspension and a fine of $500,000 for Nurmagomedov.