Khabib Nurmagomedov retired nearly four months ago but the UFC can’t let him go
Every season seems to be Khabib Nurmagomedov season for the UFC. He isn’t the biggest money maker in the division, he might not be the flashiest fighter out there, he doesn’t post a lot of controversial content but he still is the star that the UFC cannot let go.
Turn back the clocks to October 2020 and Khabib was making his return after the loss of his father, Abdulmanap.
Further, this was going to be a huge title defence after his win over Conor McGregor. He then took on Justin Gaethje, that many believed would provide a tough opponent for the Russian.
However, Khabib won the fight in the second round with an excellent triangle choke. He then shocked the UFC world by announcing his retirement.
No one expected that, not Dana White, not his manager and not his coach. This was a decision taken after consulting his mother and his mother didn’t want him to continue fighting.
Khabib ended his career at 29-0, one short of the coveted 30-0 that his father wanted to see. However, the Russian isn’t interested in coming back but that isn’t stopping White or several others from calling him out.
Let Khabib Nurmagomedov enjoy his retirement
This is like a cash cow or the golden goose that White and the UFC are using to ensure the fans stay hooked onto this story.
Georges St-Pierre is one rival that Khabib wants to fight but there doesn’t seem to be any chance of it happening.
Dana White suggested that this fight is over but this story just isn’t ending. Khabib’s coach, Javier Mendez, also claimed that he didn’t know if Khabib could return but wanted the fight to happen later this year.
White has also met Khabib several times in trying to bring him back, and it seems it is the UFC president who is making big statements rather than Khabib.
He went on to say that Khabib could be interested in a return after UFC 257. Someone had to impress him and Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler impressed with a couple of great wins.
However, Khabib openly said that he wasn’t keen on a return and wasn’t impressed either. That should have been the end of that but he hasn’t vacated the title.
White hasn’t opened up on what happens next and this is keeping the fans on tenterhooks. Kenny Florian then suggested that GSP is training for this fight, but again, nothing has been confirmed.
Khabib vs GSP would be a dream fight but again, there is too much going on to confirm if this is on or not.
The fight might not even take place this year as Khabib needs to get his mother on his side. However, keeping these stories coming in keeps the fans hooked, at least some of them.
Khabib just needs to go into the sunset and enjoy his time off but the UFC won’t let him do that.
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