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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Undefeated Dagestani lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov was all set to fight Donald Cerrone next week at UFC 178 before a knee injury took him out of action. However, while he didn't wind up getting that fight, he thinks a title fight should be next for him when he returns from injury.
Nurmagomedov told Fox Sports 1's UFC Tonight program on Wednesday night that he feels he's the No. 1 contender after the already scheduled title bout.
"After Gilbert Melendez, I'm the next number-one contender," he said. "I'm 6-0 in UFC, 22-0 overall. I deserve my title fight."
Penick's Analysis: Nurmagomedov has carved out a spot amongst the elite in the division by maintaining his undefeated record, and with wins over Pat Helay and Rafael dos Anjos in his last two fights, there aren't many with an argument over him. That said, seeing as he hasn't fought since April, it also might be hard for the UFC to sell him as the next challenger after Melendez if someone like Eddie Alvarez is ready to go for that fight.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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