Khabib Nurmagomedov is a legend of the sport. (imago Images)
Despite retiring, talks of a Khabib Nurmagomedov comeback never seem to fade away
Khabib hung up his gloves after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. It came as a shock to everyone watching.
‘The Eagle’ then revealed in the post-fight interview that he wouldn’t be able to continue fighting without his late father by his corner. He also disclosed that he had promised his mother that the Gaethje fight would be his last.
However, the MMA community felt that he would return someday. But little did they realize that Khabib was a man of his word. ‘The Eagle’ officially announced his retirement on the 18th of March, putting an end to all rumours and speculations of a comeback.
More recently, Khabib’s coach Javier Mendez addressed yet another question regarding the possibility of The Russian’s comeback.
In an interview with Niall McGrath of Talking Brawls, Mendez divulged that if Khabib ever decided to come back, it would be for the love of the sport, and nothing else.
Mendez was quoted as saying:
“It’s in his blood. He loves the competition. If he comes back, which I doubt he will, but if anything drives him back, it’s the love for the competition, not anybody else. Just the love, missing the competition, not any particular person.
Charles Oliveira became the 11th lightweight champion in UFC history, after emerging victorious against Michael Chandler at UFC 262.
Coach Mendez said that the Brazilian was 100 percent worthy to be the champion. He also said that he felt Oliveira would win due to more weapons in his arsenal.
Mendez said:
” A 100 percent worthy champion. A 100 percent courage of a champion. I thought he was going to have the edge and the reason being, is he had more weapons.”
Oliveira is now expected to defend his title against the winner of the upcoming trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
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