Khabib Nurmagomedov is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Khabib Nurmagomedov finally confirmed his retirement but left an emotional message for Dana White
MMA great Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed his retirement from the sport after a major update from Dana White.
The UFC president had met Khabib several times since the Russian announced his retirement. Khabib had beaten Justin Gaethje and kept the Lightweight title. However, White was hopeful of changing The Eagle’s mind.
Several meetings later and the pair were unable to break the deadlock. Khabib stayed retired while White had given up on seeing his return.
This would come as a bit of a blow to White who would have hoped for a special 30th fight for Khabib. The Russian ends his career with a 29-0 record and the Lightweight belt will now be taken away from him.
Khabib, who has always spoken well of White, shared an emotional post with a few pictures of their meeting.
The Russian thanked the UFC and White for all that they had done, and how they had changed lives. Khabib also had a special message for the UFC president where he brought up his father and sons:
“I’ll never forget your attitude towards me, my father did not forget and my sons will remember you.
“Today there was a real conversation between real men.”
Khabib ended the message by thanking his fans, partners and team and hoped they understood his decision:
Khabib retiring from the UFC also had a big effect on the Lightweight division. The Russian was the champion and kept the belt after beating Gaethje but now the UFC has to crown a new champ.
White wasted little to not time in announcing a big fight for the vacant belt. The UFC president confirmed that Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira would take place at UFC 262.
This is a great fight but not keeping Dustin Poirier in the mix was a little strange. The Diamond defeated Conor McGregor in his at UFC 257.
The pair are set to meet for a third time and Ariel Helwani shared the possible date for this fight.
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