‘I have NO plans to continue fighting’: Khabib Nurmagomedov insists his decision to retire from UFC is final despite Dana White saying he’d ‘bet’ on lightweight star making a comeback
- Khabib Nurmagomedov insisted his decision to retire from fighting is final
- The Russian hung up his gloves after an emotional victory over Justin Gaethje
- UFC president Dana White said that he is confident that Khabib would return
- However, the undefeated lightweight doubled down and insisted he is done
Khabib Nurmagomedov insisted his decision to retire from fighting is final following Dana White’s comments over a potential comeback.
The Russian fighter hung up his gloves after an emotional victory over Justin Gaethje in Abu Dhabi in October.
Khabib cited the death of his father, Abdulmanap, who passed away in July after complications brought about by coronavrius, as the reason for calling it quits.
Khabib Nurmagomedov insisted his decision to retire from fighting is final following rumours
Dana White says he would be willing to bet on Khabib Nurmagomedov reversing his retirement
The UFC president said that he is confident that Khabib would return to the octagon, as he told TMZ Sports: ‘If I had to make a bet — and I’m a betting man — I would bet he does [return], so, yeah … I think he will.’
However, the undefeated lightweight believes there is no-one left for him to fight and he said there will be a ‘never-ending story’ for his UFC return.
‘There will always be rumours about my comeback,’ Nurmagomedov told BT Sport.
‘Because Dana White or other promoters who could replace him in the future will always want me to fight.
The undefeated lightweight believes there is no-one left to fight after Justin Gaethje win
‘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 want the show to go on. But I have no plans to continue fighting.
‘What if I fight one more time? They will have another contender for me who is on a 7-8 win streak. Another wrestler with great striking.
‘They are very good at raising heroes, building up big stars – it’s just a never-ending story.’
Khabib said he would not want to keep fighting just for financial reasons
Khabib said that he would be capable of following in the footsteps of MMA legend and friend Fedor Emelianenko, but he would not want to keep fighting just for financial reasons.
‘Of course, I could possibly fight until I’m 40 – or even 45, like Fedor,’ he said. ‘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. Who else is there to fight for me? And even if there is one, my mission has been accomplished.
‘Of course, I am in my prime and there is still tons of money I could earn. But I had a different goal. And as for money, from now on we will earn it somewhere else.’