Dana White leaves door originate for Khabib Nurmagomedov to attain: ‘He’s nonetheless the champ’

By Simon Head and Ken Hathaway |

November 1, 2020 12: 30 pm

LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White acknowledged the door has been left broad originate for Khabib Nurmagomedov to attain to the octagon when he confirmed the undefeated Russian stays in plot because the UFC’s undisputed gentle-weight champion.

Talking to journalists, including MMA Junkie, within the again of the curtain after UFC on ESPN+ 39, White was once asked to elaborate on earlier comments suggesting he opinion Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) could presumably presumably return to the octagon in a show to lengthen his perfect loyal file to 30-0.

“Effectively, he didn’t say that he’ll fight, nonetheless he didn’t say no,” White acknowledged. “He’s pondering relating to the 30-0. His father wished it and I feel that he was once extensive-emotional. (He) had the mumps, measles or whatever, damaged toe, knowledgeable on a stationary bike for that fight, and then got here in and fought, and he was once extensive-emotional.”

Nurmagomedov acknowledged at some level of the octagon at UFC 254 that his decision to retire at 29-0 got here on narrative of a promise he had made to his mother following his father’s loss of life in July. But White acknowledged that the UFC has left the door originate for “The Eagle” to attain and proceed his title reign, could presumably presumably nonetheless he prefer to make so.

“He’s nonetheless the champ – there’s no vacant title originate accurate now, or no intervening time title going down. He’s the champ and we’ll give him some time to resolve out what he desires to make. … I if fact be told feel ravishing accurate (about it). He acknowledged he was once going to mutter on the side of his mother.”