Cowboy Cerrrone to step in at last minute? A title shot against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 200? Nope, instead of the best that the lightweight division has to offer, the UFC have decided to welcome Khabib Nurmagomedov back to the Octagon with a bout against UFC debutant and proverbial lamb to the slaughter Darrell Horcher.
The undefeated Dagestani fighter has been the lightweight division's champion in waiting for quite some time now but an extended injury lay-off has ensured that the likes of Rafael dos Anjos have taken up the mantle and stepped up their game significantly in his absence. A number of returns were halted but it finally looked like he'd be back in action against Tony Ferguson on April 16.
Ferguson pulled out through injury however and the scramble was on to find another fight for Nurmagomedov. Cowboy Cerrone wanted the fight, Khabib claimed he didn't but one way or another, that wasn't going to happen at such short notice. The other option was to push things back a couple of months but it would appear that everyone involved was keen to get the 27 year old back in action, even if it means dropping way down the list of available lightweight fighters.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Darrell Horcher has been added to UFC on Fox next week, per the UFC. Horcher (12-1) is making his UFC debut.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 7, 2016
Horcher may be confident in his ability but as far as UFC debut's go, it doesn't get much tougher than welcoming a hungry Nurmagomedov back to the Octagon after a two year lay-off.
12-1 #1 lightweight regionally for a reason. #callmedana #amtrakked @danawhite @BryanHamper @BrianButler_Au pic.twitter.com/1pe29VpomD
— Darrell Horcher (@HorcherMMA) April 4, 2016
