Even Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s fans will admit that the Dagestani retired prematurely. Although the former UFC lightweight champion is considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever, he retired after just three title defenses, without really cementing his legacy as the greatest ever. And the reason was quite simply that he made his mother a promise and he was a man of his word.

His father, retired Russian Army Sambo coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov had been in his corner for every step of his martial arts journey. After he passed away in 2020 from Covid-19, his mother asked Khabib to retire. The undefeated champion did just that, foregoing many many millions of dollars as well as a potential legacy of being the greatest ever on the table. However, every so often there are speculations and rumors that the Dagestani is coming back, as they did for the upcoming UFC 300. His coach and mentor Javier Mendez cleared the air around these speculations.

Coach shoots down Khabib Nurmagomedov return rumors

Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement in his post-fight speech after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020. However, he continued to coach and corner fighters, including friend and protege Islam Makhachev, until he completely renounced the sport early last year to focus on his family.

‘The Eagle’ has said many times he is content and has no plans to return, but, rumors of his comeback have surfaced again as UFC 300 inches closer. On his podcast, Javier Mendez expressed his dismay at these periodic rumors and stated that the Dagestani had moved on with his life advising people to not believe these rumors.

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“Leave Khabib alone you know, it’s like, hey he’s retired he’s been retired he never said he wanted to come back. He never talked to me about anything since he made his announcement over two years ago. People need to stop, he’s moved on with his life,” Mendez conveyed.

Mendez observed that there is a very good chance that the former lightweight champion misses the thrill and adrenaline shot of competing at the biggest combat sports stage in the world, he has given no indication he wants to come back.

“He has not ever said anything about remotely coming back whatsoever. Now does he miss it? Absolutely. He probably does because as a fighter you miss that adrenaline, you know, you get pumped up when you get out there. So you miss that but he himself has never told me directly that I want to get back in in in the cage,” he added.

‘The Eagle’ turned down $100 million to fight Mayweather according to manager

Conor McGregor‘s 2017 crossover boxing match with Floyd Mayweather was the biggest paycheck the Irishman has received for a fight. For reference, McGregor was the highest-paid MMA fighter in the world at the time and the reported $85 million Mayweather purse still dwarfed his UFC purses.

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However, when Khabib was offered $100 million by Mayweather for a boxing match, the Dagestani flatly refused due to the promise he made his mother, Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told Mike Tyson on the latter’s Hotboxin’ podcast. “No, I’m retired. I told my mother I’m retired. I’m gonna keep my word to my mother. If my mother told me to fight again, maybe I will, but right now she told me not to fight,” Abdelaziz quoted Khabib.

A true champion, in and out of the cage indeed. So what are your thoughts in the whole ordeal?

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