Retired since 2020 with a start as champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov says he continues to receive requests 4 years later.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has not set foot in the cage since 2020. ‘The Eagle of Dagestan’ retired at the top of his game after a title defense against Justin Gaethje. Since then, every year rumors of a return have been heard without anything ultimately coming to fruition.
On Apr. 13, it’s a tale of two title eliminators as BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje takes on former featherweight champ Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira takes on fellow top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Daniel Cormier had also claimed that Khabib would have refused a fantastic offer from the UFC which wanted to bring him back. The former champion’s retirement now dates back almost 4 years. But although he claimed that his departure was final, and that his former coach did too, Khabib would continue to receive offers. He himself said it:
“All respect for Max Holloway, but I don’t know, and I don’t understand why UFC make this fight. Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway, it no make sense,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie.
“My opinion, Holloway is supposed to fight with (Ilia) Topuria next, maybe September. Justin Gaethje supposed to fight with Islam (in) May, June. Tsarukyan vs. Oliveira, they fight (in) April, who wins (fights winner of) Islam vs. Justin Gaethje. [Winners of each fight] supposed to fight end of the year in Abu Dhabi. This is, I think, more makes sense.”
Khabib contacted for UFC 300
This response from the Dagestani followed a question about a possible participation on his part in UFC 300. The person concerned replied that his manager Ali Abdelaziz had been contacted, but that he would not change his mind: he would not postpone not the gloves. As coach of Islam Makhachev, or even his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov (who fights this Saturday), Khabib has even abandoned this role today. He is now content to accompany his brothers in arms during training sessions and encourage them.
Nurmagomedov says Holloway’s BMF title fight vs. Gaethje not only affects the lightweight division, but featherweight as well.
Nurmagomedov says Holloway’s BMF title fight vs. Gaethje not only affects the lightweight division, but featherweight as well.
“Now (Ilia) Topuria, he will fight with who?” Nurmagomedov said of the new featherweight champion. “If Holloway lose, he will fight… Movsar (Evloev) is the best option, but I don’t know if Dana White will give him [a title shot].But my opinion, he deserve this.
“I don’t understand. No make sense why they don’t give Islam Justin Gaethje. Why they make him fight vs. Holloway? I don’t understand what UFC have planned, but Islam ready to fight with anybody.”
The UFC apparently knows not to deal with Nurmagomedov directly, not since his retirement back at UFC 254. However, the promotion did reach out to his manager Ali Abdelaziz to see if the Hall of Famer would be interested in coming back at UFC 300.
Nearly four years out of the sport, Nurmagomedov’s stance on a UFC return hasn’t changed one bit.
“Honestly, no,” Nurmagomedov said, when asked if he had any interest in fighting on the historic card. “I know they connect with Ali, but I told Ali last maybe one year, it doesn’t matter who call you, but never call me about fight. We have deal. Like, directly with me, nobody connect.
“But I know with Ali connect some people from UFC, but I told already once, and I told, like a lot of times for all these people who try to bring me back. Like, I decide this in 2020, October. It was my last fight and I will never change this.”
