Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje are expected to meet at UFC 253 on September 19 to settle who is the best lightweight in the UFC.

Gaethje stunned Tony Ferguson back in May as he stopped the Californian in the final round to secure the biggest victory of his career.

Along with the win came the UFC Interim Lightweight Title, but Russian Khabib still holds the belt widely recognised as the key to the 155 pound division.

Khabib has won all 28 of his professional MMA bouts, a record that stretches back to his debut in September 2008.

However, the undefeated 31-year-old has not fought since September last year and so will be forced to prove his superiority against Gaethje later this year, according to Combate.

No venue or location for UFC 253 has yet been announced.

After his victory over Ferguson, Gaethje said: "Khabib is the best in the world. I’ve been working since I was four for challenges like this.

"And I’m happy to represent the United States of America versus Dagestan or Russia’s best. He’s 28-0 and there’s no other challenge I want right now. I want to fight him."

The Arizona-born fighter then added that he will ‘go to Ireland’ to take on former two-weight world champion Conor McGregor.

However, McGregor announced his retirement from the UFC last week, the fourth time he has declared he will no longer fight in MMA.