Four years after announcing his retirement, fans have been anticipating Khabib Nurmagomedov returning to the Octagon. The former lightweight champion is ready to officially put the speculation to bed.
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In an interview with iNews, Khabib Nurmagomedov spelled out how likely he is to return. “There is no chance,” he told the Indonesian news outlet. “Not even one percent.”
“0.1%, no?” the host asked.
“Minus,” Khabib Nurmagomedov replied.
While that revelation may not be what many wanted to hear, the 29-fight veteran insists that MMA won’t miss his presence thanks to his presence as a high level coach. Several notable fighters under his tutelage, including UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Bellator counterpart Usman Nurmagomedov, have since emerged as top talent.
“If you guys need champions, I’m helping my brothers to become champions. We have Islam, champion. We have Umar [Nurmagomedov,] next contender; we have Usman, champion,” Nurmagomedov said.
“You guys [are] never going to miss me because in our team, in our gym, we create champions. You guys [are] always going to have champions. Don’t worry about this,” he concluded.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Post Retirement Troubles
That gym Khabib Nurmagomedov referenced, Eagle MMA, has been at the center of some of the former champion’s recent troubles. A terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 21 innocent victims was linked back to the gym, as one of the assailants previously trained there.
Just a month before that, the Russian Federal Tax Service seized Nurmagomedov’s personal and business bank accounts alleging a $3 million debt.
The reported financial troubles and turmoil in his native Dagestan fueled speculation on a return to competition.
In the time since his retirement, UFC CEO Dana White publicly courted “The Eagle” to return. Rumors have also linked him to fights against then-welterweight champion Leon Edwards and GOAT candidate Georges St. Pierre.
Nurmagomedov abruptly retired following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. It was his third defense of the lightweight crown and clearly left the sport wanting more.
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