Kevin Lee explains how Khabib Nurmagomedov’s absence from UFC makes things better

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4 years ago

Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Khabib Nurmagomedov does not look like he will make a return to UFC anytime soon

It seems like ages ago when Khabib Nurmagomedov called it quits at UFC 254. The Russian beat Justin Gaethje and retire from the sport with an untarnished 29-0-0 professional record.

Since then, the biggest topic at 155 pounds has been his UFC return. It has been tipped that he would return for a fight of the century against all-time great Georges St-Pierre.

That does not look possible anymore as both camps are shying away from a return. And UFC lightweight fighter Kevin Lee gave his two cents on this topic in an interview with MMA Junkie on YouTube.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is not close to making a UFC return. (GETTY Images)

Lee said that the promotion should just let Khabib retire for a while and use it to their advantage.

“I think they should just let the man retire. Let him retire, let him enjoy himself a little bit, let him take his mind off the game. Let the game miss him a little bit.”

Kevin Lee wants UFC to time the return of Khabib Nurmagomedov perfectly

‘The Motown Phenom’ then added in his interview that if UFC lets him take some time off, then his return fight, which Lee believes will happen, would be even bigger.

“…and when he does come back, it will make for an even bigger fight and is the one he is really looking for as a final retirement fight. I think for sure he will be back but let the man have some time.”

Kevin Lee says UFC will profit more if Khabib Nurmagomedov stays absent from UFC for a while. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Some part of Lee (18-6-0) might want Khabib to delay his return so that the lightweight division is a little more open for the 28-year-old American.

Dana White is trying to mak everything happen to make ‘The Eagle’ return to the promotion. But it looks like Nurmagomedov would need a serious challenge in the lightweight division to consider a return.

Khabib has been busy with other avenues, such as watching football matches, and it will be interesting to see if he brings up talks of a return again.