Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he prefers not to fight during Ramadan

LAS VEGAS – Khabib Nurmagomedov has specifically made it a case to never compete during the month of Ramadan.

Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) will make his third lightweight title defense when he takes on Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18, just one week before Ramadan begins.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims and consists of 30 days of fasting without food or water from sunrise to sunset. That makes training conditions more difficult for fighters who observe it each year.

Nurmagomedov, who was plagued with injuries early in his career, said he’d rather not risk beating his body up in a state of weakness and dehydration.

“Ramadan, I take like a little bit off training – but I’m still (MMA) training, too,” Nurmagomedov said at Dominance MMA’s media day this past Saturday in Las Vegas. “I spend this time with family, parents, go to the mosque, pray, and day (to) night fasting. And, of course, we’re training, too.

“It’s very hard and very dangerous, too. All day, you don’t drink and you don’t eat. Injuries can come. That’s why we (don’t have) too much contact, and without sparring. It’s still hard.”

Nurmagomedov often has targeted fall for his second fight of the year, a few months after Ramadan is over.

“After Ramadan, we need minimum 45 days to recover – athletes, not (non-athletes) because we compete at a high level, and that’s why we have to watch everything” Nurmagomedov said. “After Ramadan, 40, 45 days we need recovery because times change, a lot of things like food, how you eat, when you eat. A lot of things change. We need one and a half months for recovery.”