Khabib Nurmagomedov cries in the center of the octagon after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov retired after the fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov standing firm on retirement: “I have no plans to continue fighting”
Even if UFC President Dana White thinks he can lure him out of retirement, reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be set on his decision to walk away. Following Nurmagomedov’s win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 back in October, he announced his retirement citing that he had done everything he set out to do, and it was a promise he made to his mother following the death of his father.
Earlier today RT Sport released a video of Khabib Nurmagomedov talking about his retirement and why he is set on being done with the sport.
Khabib: “I have no plans to continue fighting.”
As clear as can be. Good on him. So, can we respect the man’s decision and leave him be? Bizarre to keep saying he’ll be back soon when he keeps reiterating this stance. pic.twitter.com/IufEYEFvAg
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 20, 2020
“There will always be rumors about my comeback. Because Dana White or other promoters who could replace him in the future will always want me to fight. It’s all about big money, views, and media coverage. So I am sure they will keep chasing me. You have just finished one fight and fans right away start looking forward to your next one. They always the show to go on. But I have no plans to continue fighting.”
As he looks to end his career on an undefeated high, with a record of 29-0, Khabib Nurmagomedov did give praise to the UFC and how they go about building stars.
“They [UFC] are very good at raising heroes, building up big stars, it’s just a neverending story. Of course, I could possibly fight until I’m 40, or even 45 like Fedor, but there must be a purpose to it, a goal. My goal was to reach the summit, I did it. So I don’t see any competitive interest to stay in the game.”
These comments from Khabib Nurmagomedov strongly suggest he is at peace with his decision to retire from MMA and the UFC, and that could open things up immediately inside the lightweight division.
While White is still sticking to his thoughts of being able to convince Nurmagomedov, he has said that the upcoming fight between former champion Conor McGregor and former interim champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, will not be for a title.
