Dana White didn’t get his way.
For over a month, the UFC president has been refusing to accept Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement from mixed martial arts, and instead pointing to numerous meetings and dinners that the Russian might still be tempted to fight one more time. For Nurmagomedov’s part, since his fight with Justin Gaethje, he has always stood by the fact he would never compete again.
The Dagestani said competing without his father, who passed away last year, was too painful and his mother had made him swear prior to the Gaethje fight that it would be his final outing in the Octagon. White pointed to the hard training camp and heavy emotion that Nurmagomedov was feeling as a potential reason why he might change his mind, but tonight he has had to admit defeat.
After meeting with Nurmagomedov in Las Vegas this evening, White took to his social media to confirm that, once again, Nurmagomedov had stuck by his decision.
“29-0 it is. He is 💯 officially retired,” White wrote. “It was incredible to watch you work Khabib Nurmagomedov. thank you for EVERYTHING and enjoy whatever is next my friend.”
Nurmagomedov will now presumably vacate his UFC lightweight title, leaving it up for grabs for a number of 155-pound contests coming up this year.
Nurmagomedov will now presumably vacate his UFC lightweight title, leaving it up for grabs for a number of 155-pound contests coming up this year.
