John Locher / Associated Press
Khabib Nurmagomedov will remain retired despite speculation that he will return to the Octagon.
Uana President Dana White announced Khabib’s decision on Twitter on Thursday:
White also told ESPNs Brett Okamoto that Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira will now battle it out for the lightweight title at UFC 262 on May 15th.
The 32-year-old initially announced his retirement from UFC 254 in October 2020:
He walked away from the sport after defeating Justin Gaethje by submission, his third straight defense of the lightweight title, after also stopping Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. He initially won the belt by defeating Al Iaquinta in 2018 and never slowed down, eventually becoming the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC rankings.
“I have achieved almost everything in this sport, and there is no one I want to fight with now,” Nurmagomedov tell Sport24 with respect to his retirement.
His father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, too deceased three months before his son’s retirement due to complications related to COVID-19.
There were few indications Khabib would return to MMA, especially thereafter Mcregor was upset by Poirier by UFC 257.
“I did talk to Khabib. And he said to me, ‘Dana, be honest with yourself. I’m so many levels above these guys. I beat these guys,’ ‘White told reporters to UFC 257. “I do not know. But it does not sound very positive. We will see.”
White, however, could not convince the champion to return, and the lightweight division will have to move on with a new champion.
With a 29-0 record, Nurmagomedov will be one of the best fighters in UFC history.