John Locher/Linked Press
Khabib Nurmagomedov will preserve retired despite speculation he will return to the Octagon.
UFC President Dana White announced Khabib’s dedication on Twitter Thursday:
White furthermore informed ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira will now sq. off for the lightweight title at UFC 262 on Could maybe maybe furthermore just 15.
The 32-year-dilapidated had in the beginning announced his retirement at UFC 254 in October 2020:
He stepped away from the sport after defeating Justin Gaethje by submission, his third straight defense of the lightweight title after furthermore stopping every Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. He in the beginning won the belt by defeating Al Iaquinta in 2018 and by no manner slowed down, at closing turning into the tip pound-for-pound fighter within the UFC rankings.
“I really have carried out virtually all the things in this sport, and there’s no longer really someone I would favor to fight now,” Nurmagomedov informed Sport24 with regard to his retirement.
His father and trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, furthermore died three months before his son’s retirement because of the considerations linked to COVID-19.
There used to be dinky indication Khabib would return to MMA, in particular after McGregor used to be upset by Poirier at UFC 257.
“I did seek the recommendation of with Khabib. And he acknowledged to me, ‘Dana, be appropriate with yourself. I’m so many ranges above these guys. I beat these guys,'” White informed newshounds after UFC 257. “I invent no longer know. But it definitely does not sound very definite. We will stare.”
White hasn’t been in a insist to convince the champion to come inspire, though, and the lightweight division will have to pass on with a brand fresh champion.
With a 29-0 file, Nurmagomedov will sail down as one among the tip fighters in UFC historical past.
