Khabib confirms he won't defend belt until November or December

The lightweight division is full of contenders calling for a bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov, but they'll have to wait for their shot at the UFC lightweight champion.

Nurmagomedov confirmed that he won't be back in the Octagon until November or December via Instagram on Sunday.

"Lightweight division is the most competitive division in #UFC. At this moment, atmosphere is very heated: There is Conor (McGregor) and Tony (Ferguson), (Dustin) Poirier, (Kevin) Lee, and (Eddie) Alvarez, all of them are good. Fight with any of these guys would be very interesting and competitive. I never choose opponent, fought with any fighter who was offered me to fight, and I'm not going to change that. I'm coming back November - December to defend my belt. Whoever @ufc decide to fight me with, I'll sign."

Nurmagomedov had said after beating Al Iaquinta for the lightweight belt at UFC 223 on April 7 that he wanted to return to action in Madison Square Garden, where the UFC has held blockbuster events each of the last two Novembers. The 155-pound champ also plans to observe Ramadan, starting in May and going through June, which will keep him from training for a bout this summer.