Khabib Nurmagomedov Now Eyeing December Return, Still Wants Anthony Pettis

Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn't want to rush things. After all, that's why he's on the shelf now. Following his second ACL repair in as many years, the UFC's No. 3-ranked lightweight is now aiming for a December return to action.

That's later than initial estimates of September or October, but Nurmagomedov said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report that a doctor's visit this week firmed up the timeline and he is taking extra caution to prevent additional injury.

He'll resume full training soon with a goal of fighting before the end of the year.

"In one more month, they say I can begin hard training," Nurmagomedov said. "I can't wait. I can't wait. This is really hard for me."

"

Tomorrow I have appointment in LA with my doctor, then I will know when I comeback to the cage. @ufc @arielhelwani @AliAbdelaziz00

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 27, 2015"

The 26-year-old Nurmagomedov (22-0) said he hopes to return at UFC 194 on December 5 or at UFC on Fox 17 on December 19. His desired opponent? One Anthony Pettis, the former champion with whom Nurmagomedov has traded barbs on social media. He is also sidelined with an injury.

"I want me versus Pettis," he said. "He's still injured, I'm still injured. All my life, all my career, I say I want to fight the best. If I cannot fight for title, I still want to fight top guys."

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

That title fight? It's expected to take place between champ Rafael dos Anjos and challenger Donald Cerrone later this year. Nurmagomedov dismissed that contest based largely on the fact that he defeated Dos Anjos by decision in 2014. He was also briefly linked to a bout with Cerrone in fall 2014, but his initial knee injury derailed that.

"Dos Anjos vs. Cowboy? No," Nurmagomedov said. "This is not a big fight. For me, it's not interesting. I think me and Pettis, that's the biggest fight, for sure."

In the meantime, Nurmagomedov, who hails from the Dagestan region of Russia but regularly trains at the American Kickboxing Academy in California, is maintaining a light workload. After tearing his knee for the second time in April, according to AKA head coach Javier Mendez, Nurmagomedov returned to full training at "90 percent." The knee "didn't hold," Mendez told Bloody Elbow, and it was reinjured.

"

I miss octagon so much you cannot imagine @ufc #ufc

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 26, 2015"

As a result of the successive setbacks, Nurmagomedov has fought only three times in the past two years, icing a career that was just heating up.

Still, The Eagle seems positive and determined to learn from the experience.

"I'm just doing a lot of exercise, a lot of therapy, a lot of massage," Nurmagomedov said. "I've had two surgeries in a row. I want to give myself more time. After I come back, I want to be back. I want to push myself."

Scott Harris writes about MMA for Bleacher Report. For more stuff like this, follow Scott on Twitter. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.