Nurmagomedov moves up potential return date to September or October

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov still isn't quite sure when he'll fight next, but he's moving up his return date by a couple months.

After stating in April he would not be back to defend his belt until November or December, the undefeated Dagestani is instead expecting to fight again in September or October, he said in a live chat with fans Tuesday.

'"I don't know when it's going to be. Now we'll talk about this with the UFC. It's going to be maybe (Sept. 9) or (Oct. 6)," said Nurmagomedov. "I don't know about (the) opponent - Conor (McGregor), GSP (Georges St-Pierre), whoever. It doesn't matter, we'll see.

"Next couple of weeks it's going to be very fun because now we're beginning to talk about my next fight with the UFC."

Nurmagomedov called out Georges St-Pierre in the past, and a bout with Conor McGregor has been anticipated since the Irishman attacked him in Brooklyn. McGregor is set to have his court date for the attack on June 14 and Dana White has said the UFC plans to let that process play out before making any plans for their former two-division champ.

Related: Dana White 'pretty confident' McGregor wants to fight Nurmagomedov

Oct. 6 has been announced as the date for UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, while Sept. 9 is a Sunday and has not been tagged for a specific event, although the details for UFC 228 have yet to be released. The UFC will be going to Nurmagomedov's home country of Russia for the first time on Sept. 15 in Moscow, though that event will reportedly be headlined by Mark Hunt and Aleksei Oleinik.

- with h/t to MMAnytt