A knee injury that scratched UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) from a UFC 178 bout with Donald Cerrone (24-6 MMA, 11-3 UFC) was revealed to be a torn right meniscus.
Mike Constantino said the Dagestani fighter will require surgery for the injury and is likely to be out a minimum of six months, meaning Nurmagomedov is looking for a January 2015 return, though his timetable could improve depending on the quality of his rehabilitation.
“I was hoping that he didn’t require surgery and it was just a bump and a bruise, but it turned out to be meniscus, so I’m a little bit disappointed to hear it was that severe,” Constantino said. “But you can’t jerk around with it. You’ve got to get it done.”
Constantino said Nurmagomedov was training in his native Dagestan when the injury took place; the coach was unaware of exactly what happened in the gym. The fighter traveled to Moscow to see the doctor who officially diagnosed him and is now back at home.
Cerrone distinguished himself by volunteering to fight Nurmagomedov, but now awaits a new challenge as he builds momentum following a head-kick knockout of Jim Miller at this past Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 45.
It is a great shame as we’re all looking forward to seeing Khabib fighter the best of the best. After beating Raphael Dos Anjos who beat Cerrone but is still ranked below him. It would of been good to see if ‘The Eagle’ could dominate ‘The Cowboy’ in the fashion he has done everyone else in his path. Cowboy is currently ranked 5th in the division and a win over him would no doubt be a sure call for a contender fight.
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