Khabib Nurmagomedov said he'll be 'relieved' when he finally vacates the UFC lightweight title

• Khabib Nurmagomedov said he'll be relieved when he finally vacates the UFC lightweight title.
• The Russian wrestler retired after he choked Justin Gaethje unconscious last year.
• Nurmagomedov said Dustin Poirier would make a fitting new champion at 155-pounds.

Khabib Nurmagomedov said he'll be "relieved" when he finally vacates the UFC lightweight championship.

The Russian wrestler made an abrupt, emotional, and dramatic retirement announcement after choking Justin Gaethje unconscious in the 29th bout of his pro MMA career in 2020.

Though he retired as a millionaire, undefeated in the sport, and on his own terms, the UFC boss Dana White has attempted to lure him back to the Octagon for a 30th and final match.

Speaking at a press conference this week, in comments translated by Russian state-owned network RT Sport, Nurmagomedov did not sound enthused by the prospect.

He said an end-of-February meeting with White in Las Vegas "has been hyped too much by the media … and I don't really like it.

"When I'm in Vegas, we always see each other, drink tea, and have dinner. I don't want to let the media know the messages we exchange - it's between us."

Nurmagomedov did tell reporters that he's already told White that he doesn't like that the lightweight division is in a state of flux.

"It's because of me," he said.

"Although some fighters have just fought each other and it's clear who should fight for the title, and who should fight for the No.1 contender spot.

"So they are supposed to have the next fights in May or June. There's some time for match-making. But I'd like it all to be decided and I let Dana know that I don't want to hold it all up.

"I said my word, I've done everything I wanted to achieve in this sport.

"I'll feel relieved," the 32-year-old said. "Like a weight off my shoulders. Let them just fight for the vacant title. Let them fight for the No.1 contender spot. I have no problem with that."

Poirier deserves to be the new king at 155, according to Nurmagomedov

Nurmagomedov's comments about seemingly vacating the championship in the near-future follow previous statements that said his former rival Dustin Poirier, who he beat in 2019, should be the next champion.

Poirier rebounded from a loss to Nurmagomedov by beating Dan Hooker and Conor McGregor in back-to-back legacy-defining bouts.

"Poirier deserves to be champion, that's my personal opinion," Nurmagomedov said earlier this month, according to MMA Fighting.

"Look at who he's fought. Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Max Holloway. He's fought me, Conor - these are all top fighters, maybe fighters who will end up in the UFC Hall of Fame.

"I think intrigue will appear in the lightweight division as soon as they decide the title fight and eliminator.

"At the moment, it's held up and not clear what Dana's thinking."

Nurmagomedov added that he expects the UFC's stacked lightweight division to be "on fire" this coming summer because of the huge level of talent on show.

"I think it's going to be on fire in the lightweight division this summer. The lightweight division has always been the most competitive, the most interesting, with big stars.

"It will take new turns this summer … a new, younger, generation is already coming, plus there's [Michael] Chandler, [Charles] Oliviera, [Justin] Gaethje, a lot of good fighters.

"With that mix, it will be interesting this summer and towards the end of the year."