Dana White Addresses Khabib Nurmagomedov Rumors After UFC 330

Khabib Nurmagomedov had UFC followers speaking after showing with gloves on at UFC 330. Dana White was then requested the query many individuals had in thoughts: may the unbeaten former champion ever be satisfied to combat once more?

Dana White doesn’t anticipate Khabib Nurmagomedov to place the gloves again on. The UFC CEO was requested concerning the retired former light-weight champion after UFC 330, the place footage confirmed Nurmagomedov sporting UFC gloves backstage.

“I don’t assume that’s ever going to occur,” White stated on the post-fight press convention. “Pay attention, when he was attempting to retire, I used to be throughout that f*ing man. I don’t assume you’ll get him again now, plus he’s received to weigh like 225 lb or one thing! Yeah, he’s received an excellent life, and I don’t assume he’s seeking to combat any extra.”

Dana White Offers Blunt Khabib Nurmagomedov Comeback Verdict

The query got here after one other main evening for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s longtime pal and scholar, Islam Makhachev. Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight title with a unanimous-decision win over Ian Machado Garry within the UFC 330 fundamental occasion at Xfinity Cell Area in Philadelphia. The scores have been 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47.

Makhachev’s win was his seventeenth in a row within the UFC, setting a brand new promotion file for the longest profitable streak. He additionally moved to 29-1 as knowledgeable and accomplished the primary protection of the 170-pound belt he received at UFC 322.

Nurmagomedov, 37, walked away from MMA after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020. The win unified the light-weight title and left him with a 29-0 skilled file. He had introduced beforehand that the bout can be his closing combat, following the dying of his father, coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

White spent months attempting to alter that call. He later accepted Nurmagomedov’s retirement, however the former champion has repeatedly made it clear that his preventing profession is completed. In a 2023 interview, Nurmagomedov stated he had turned down affords price $20 million, $30 million and $40 million as a result of cash was now not sufficient to tug him again into competitors.

“It’s completed. I depart this alone. I’m completely happy and I by no means remorse my resolution. By no means,” Nurmagomedov stated.

There have been loads of comeback rumors over time, from potential UFC fights to a reported boxing supply involving Floyd Mayweather. None have led to a return. As a substitute, Nurmagomedov has remained near the game as a coach and nook determine for Makhachev and different fighters from his crew.

Makhachev’s run has stored the Nurmagomedov title close to the middle of UFC title fights with out Khabib needing to take one other stroll to the Octagon. And primarily based on White’s newest reply, the gloves noticed backstage have been simply gloves.