Dana White finally accepts Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired as UFC finalizes a new lightweight title fight

• Dana White has finally accepted that pound-for-pound No.1 fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired.
• "Khabib is retired and doesn't wanna hold up the division," White told ESPN.
• Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira fight for Nurmagomedov's now-vacant UFC title in May.

Dana White has finally accepted that Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired as the UFC finalizes a new UFC lightweight title fight in the months ahead.

"Khabib is retired and doesn't wanna hold up the division," White told ESPN on Thursday. "Tonight was our final meeting and he is retired."

Nurmagomedov announced an abrupt and emotional retirement on Fight Island in October last year after he choked Justin Gaethje unconscious to advance his pro MMA record to 29-0.

There was great speculation regarding a potential mega event for a 30th and final opponent, but the Russian wrestler finished his career there and then, bowing out as one of the sport's greatest fighters.

Despite the retirement statement, UFC President White has attempted to lure Nurmagomedov back into the Octagon during backstage meetings in the months since.

This week, though, White has finally moved on, allowing the UFC to free up Nurmagomedov's lightweight championship for another fighter.

The lightweight champ will be decided in a headline bout at UFC 262 between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira on May 15, ESPN reported.

American fighter Chandler, a former three-time Bellator MMA champion, made his UFC debut on Fight Island in January and obliterated Dan Hooker with a sensational first-round knockout.

Oliveira, a 31-year-old with a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, is on an eight-fight winning streak and most recently out-pointed Tony Ferguson at UFC 256 in December.

It is, as of yet, unclear where UFC 262 will take place. Earlier this week, the UFC announced plans to host UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida, in what will be its first US show away from its Apex base in Las Vegas in 2021.

The UFC enjoyed a three-event behind-closed-doors residency at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena at the very beginning of the COVID-era in sports.

In April, it returns to that same arena but, this time, is open to fans. The UFC will permit 15,000 fans, a full crowd, to attend the event.