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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia stands in his corner prior to his lightweight title bout against Justin Gaethje 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)

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia stands in his corner prior to his lightweight title bout against Justin Gaethje 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 may either be one step closer to returning to the Octagon, 0r he may be another step further away from it. These are details that only he and Dana White know about right now.
The UFC has been promoting the meeting between Khabib and Dana that took place yesterday. The meeting was with regards to Khabib’s future and whether he will return to defend his Lightweight Championship. Conor McGregor will fight Dustin Poirier next week in a match with major title implications.
Dana White will be revealing the details of the conversation with Khabib on the Max Holloway vs Calvin Kattar card tonight.
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After his meeting with @TeamKhabib last night, @danawhite will reveal the result of their conversation at 3 PM ET on @ABCNetwork and "how it's going to impact the Poirier-McGregor fight" 👀 pic.twitter.com/smoTrhZ4Nh
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 16, 2021
Even though this seems to have become a marketing gimmick for the UFC, this decision is of massive weight. This meeting will answer the biggest question- whether Khabib will return or not. If he doesn’t, the UFC are free to move on and crown the winner of Poirier-McGregor as champion. But if he does…
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Khabib Nurmagomedov: What will he achieve by returning?
Khabib Nurmagomedov will return for one reason, and that is to solidify his legacy. His father, who’s passing forced the early retirement, always wanted to see Khabib go 30-0. Considering that the Justin Gaethje win left him at 29-0, there is a major incentive to get this last fight done.

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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 20: UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov IL) and Conor McGregor (R) face off after the UFC 229 press conference at Radio City Music Hall on September 20, 2018 in New York City. Nurmagomedov and McGregor will meet in the main event on October 6, 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Another reason to return would be another massive paycheck to fight. Khabib makes almost Conor amounts of money in the UFC, netting well over a few million in each of his last two fights. A rematch with Conor is feasibly the biggest selling fight the UFC can make. Outside that, there would be a lot of hype for a possible Georges St-Pierre fight.
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If Khabib stays retired, the UFC Lightweight division will get clarity. Conor and Poirier can either fight for the vacated title, or the winner can book a title fight against whoever is the other top challenger. This meeting will resolve a lot of issues in the division, so it will be a massive announcement.
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