'There's a good chance' Khabib Nurmagomedov will make a sensational comeback and fight again, UFC boss Dana White said
- Khabib Nurmagomedov could make a sensational return to the UFC Octagon even though he said last week that he's retired from prizefighting.
- The UFC lightweight champion retired after submitting Justin Gaethje with a triangle choke submission on Fight Island, October 24.
- The UFC President Dana White said he's already spoken to Nurmagomedov, believes he was emotional last weekend, and that one more fight to get to 30-0 could be on the cards.
- I do [think he'll come back]. I think he's not going to retire." White told CBS Sports Radio. "His dad wanted him to get to 30-0 and I think he wants to honor his dad's wish."
Khabib Nurmagomedov might make a sensational comeback and fight once again, the UFC boss Dana White said on CBS Sports Radio, Thursday.
The UFC lightweight champion retained his title with a second-round triangle choke submission win over the American striking maestro Justin Gaethje at the behind-closed-doors UFC 254 event on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, on October 24.
Having advanced his pro MMA record to 29 wins unbeaten just months after his father Abdulmanap died from coronavirus complications, Nurmagomedov wept inconsolably in the middle of the UFC Octagon and then announced an abrupt retirement from prizefighting.
His comments took everybody by surprise, including the media in attendance, the fighter's training team, and White himself.
"Nobody knew, not even his coach," White said on The Zach Gelb Show. "Nobody knew. I wasn't [processing it]. I was sitting there going, 'Oh my God, you gotta be kidding me.'"
There has this week been talk about Nurmagomedov potentially backtracking on the retirement plan, as his long-time trainer Javier Mendez said he was emotionally "all over the place" on Fight Island.
White agreed, saying that he's already spoken to the fighter, and there's a good chance he'll return for at least one more fight.
"I'll tell you this … Khabib and I have been talking. And … he was completely emotional that night when he got through that fight.
"I have a feeling that he might go for 30-0. I do [think he'll come back]. I think he's not going to retire.
"His dad wanted him to get to 30-0 and I think he wants to honor his dad's wish," White said.
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