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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 07: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia prepares to enter the Octagon prior to his lightweight championship bout against Dustin Poirier during UFC 242 at The Arena on September 7, 2019 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 07: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia prepares to enter the Octagon prior to his lightweight championship bout against Dustin Poirier during UFC 242 at The Arena on September 7, 2019 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
A lot has been said about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s decision to retire from MMA following his emphatic win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
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While fight fans still believe that the Dagestani fighter will return even after announcing his retirement in the post-match interview, many feel otherwise.
Nurmagomedov has always stated that he wanted to retire early. His decision to leave the sport at the top, and while he was at his best, has reverberated among many athletes.
However, according to UFC President Dana White, the Eagle could soar again to finish what was his father’s dream. Khabib has often stated that 30-0 would be the perfect record and one that was his father’s dream.
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia reacts against Michael Johnson of the United States in their lightweight bout during the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images )
“There were in the process of building a gym for underprivileged kids, come train for free. That’s the kind of humanitarian good things that his father wanted to do. Khabib is fulfilling the legacy of what his father wanted to do,” Javier Mendez said while talking to Submission Radio.
On the same lines, fight fans have stated that Nurmagomedov is likely to return to the Octagon to fulfill his father’s dream. However, according to coach Mendez, Nurmagomedov is doing the same thing, albeit outside the Octagon.
Khabib Nurmagomedov was serious about his retirement
Regardless, coach Javier Mendez believes that Nurmagomedov has retired. Needless to say, Nurmagomedov will go down as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. The Eagle is currently the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and rightfully so.
“He’s never been somebody who said something and not meant it. I am sure anything is possible. I am sure fans and even myself as a coach would love to have him back. But I think he is done,” Mendez said.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia announces his retirement in the Octagon after 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)
However, if Khabib Nurmagomedov does make a return, it will be interesting to see who will be his next opponent. Georges St-Pierre has stated that he will be waiting if Nurmagomedov ever decides to come back.
On the other side, Tony Ferguson has stated that the Eagle will return and he will be ready to take on the Dagestani phenom.
