UFC CEO Dana White has offered fresh insights into Khabib Nurmagomedov’s decision to walk away from mixed martial arts at the peak of his career. In a recent interview, White revealed that the undefeated champion’s post-retirement activities proved so lucrative that continuing to compete became unnecessary.
White explained how he had long anticipated the massive commercial appeal a Muslim world champion would generate. “I always said, wait till we get a Muslim world champion,” White noted.
However, White’s vision of capitalizing on Khabib’s success took an unexpected turn. After retiring from competition, the Dagestani champion embarked on an extensive tour throughout Muslim-majority regions, visiting prominent locations including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. According to White, the financial rewards from these appearances exceeded all expectations.
“Then he went out on the Muslim tour, he hit Saudi, Abu Dhabi, you know, Qatar, all these places, they rained on him,” White explained.
The result was transformative for the retired champion’s financial situation. “So he made so much money, not to fight anymore,” White stated plainly. He elaborated on the fundamental shift this created in Khabib’s motivation: “Once you make too much money, you’re not hungry no more.”
White also acknowledged that financial considerations weren’t the only factor in Khabib’s retirement decision. The passing of Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who was also his longtime coach and mentor, played a significant role. “His dad passed away, which I think had a big, had a lot to do with him not wanting to do it anymore,” White said.
Beyond the financial factors Dana White highlighted, Khabib’s own account paints a more unsettling picture of the UFC’s handling of his situation. Speaking publicly, the former champion revealed how the promotion pushed forward with an interim title match less than a month after his father’s death — a move that left him emotionally cornered.
“They make interim title just 25 days after father passed away,” Khabib recalled, describing how he was given only a month to decide his future. The timing underscored what many critics see as the UFC’s relentless drive for business over basic empathy.
For Khabib, the choice came down to loyalty versus profit. With the world demanding his return and the UFC pressing for answers, he stood by his mother’s wishes and walked away. “I choose what mother wish,” he said.
Khabib retired with a perfect 29-0 record, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest competitors in UFC history. White’s comments provide a rare glimpse into the economic realities that shaped the champion’s decision to permanently step away from the sport.
