Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts down UFC return rumours following father’s death and reveals that his close friends ‘aren’t happy’

Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to have solidified his decision of retirement, despite rumours of a possible return.

Nurmagomedov’s retirement came as a shock to many after he submitted Justin Gaethje in the second round to defend his lightweight title in dominant fashion at UFC 254.

His reasoning came from that his mother didn’t want him to fight without his father who died due to complications from Covid-19 in July this year.

UFC president Dana White recently came out saying he doesn’t think ‘The Eagle’ is going to retire after a phone call he had with the former champion.

However, Nurmagomedov recently put those rumours to rest in an interview citing it as a hard to decision but is must be made at some point.

‘This fight was like no other, the emotions in this fight were completely different. Everything was completely different without my father,’ he said per RT Sport.

‘I was offered the fight right after everything happened. I had the decision to accept it or turn it down, nobody knew about this, or retire, or I could come back, fight and then retire. 

‘Now I tell the people close to me that aren’t happy with me retiring that even if I fought 10 more times, I’d still have to face that decision. 

‘This decision could come up when I’m 32, 34, 35. It’s a hard decision because I’ve been fighting all my life. I’ve been on the mats for as long as I remember. It’s difficult to leave and do something else. People can’t understand it, but what can you do?’

By Tom Reed