UFC 187's Khabib Nurmagomedov back to 100 percent, thinks dos Anjos is 'fake champion'

UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov says he’s back at the point where he was when his knee gave out and his career stalled.

“You guys come and see today – I’m doing everything,” the Dagestan-born fighter recently told MMAjunkie. “Wrestling, boxing, and tomorrow you can watch my sparring. I do everything that I did before my injury.”

The only thing he needs now, he said, is a fight. Next month, he’ll get the one he was supposed to take before an ACL injury interceded. Nurmagomedov 22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) faces Donald Cerrone (27-6 MMA, 14-3 UFC) on May 23 at UFC 187, which takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The lightweight division is not the same place as when he left. A new champion, Rafael dos Anjos, sits atop the 155-pound class after a dominant win over Anthony Pettis at UFC 185.

Dos Anjos was the last fighter Nurmagomedov beat before his yearlong layoff, so he believes his road to the title will be short.

“I think a lot of people understand now who the best fighter in the world,” said Nurmagomedov. “Rafael dos Anjos is now the UFC lightweight champion, but one year ago, I dominated him.

“I think I am the champion. I think he is a fake champion – like Pettis before.”

Nurmagomedov called out ex-champ Pettis at every opportunity. But as it turned out, he was already in line for a title shot and only ruled out by his knee injury, according to the UFC.

Nurmagomedov vs. Cerrone is expected to give the winner of a title shot, so Nurmagomedov will soon get a chance to back up his talk.

For more on UFC 187, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.