Renowned UFC veteran Khabib Nurmagomedov recently sparked excitement among fans with a cryptic tweet hinting at his “return.” However, their hopes were quickly dashed upon discovering the true nature of the announcement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has solidified his status as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history. With an impeccable unbeaten record of 29 professional outings, including 13 in the UFC, ‘The Eagle’ conquered the lightweight division in 2018. He successfully defended his title against formidable opponents such as Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
Following a triumphant victory over Gaethje, Khabib bid farewell to the sport, retiring from MMA competition inside the octagon.
Nurmagomedov’s reign, albeit brief, left an indelible mark. In October 2020, he announced his retirement and vowed never to return to the sport. Since then, Khabib has been involved in various activities related to mixed martial arts.
The Dagestani star has assumed the role of coach, nurturing talents like Islam Makhachev and paving the way for their promising futures. Additionally, he has dedicated considerable attention to his own MMA promotion, Eagle FC. However, recent developments indicate that Nurmagomedov has shifted his focus away from MMA training, leaving his involvement with Eagle FC uncertain.
While Khabib’s presence in the MMA community has diminished to some extent, the 34-year-old remains active in promoting crypto business. This shift in focus has left a significant number of his fans disheartened. The disappointment stems from Khabib’s reputation as a devout Muslim and his position as one of the most prominent Muslim athletes worldwide.
Taking to his Twitter account, Khabib Nurmagomedov recently shared news of his new collaboration. He teased fans by mentioning he would “face” someone. However, it was revealed that the collaboration involves Gameplan, a sports platform for Meta. Furthermore, Khabib will be confronting his younger self in this endeavor.
The revelation left some fans expressing their disappointment:
“This is disheartening.”
“He has ventured into the NFT realm.”
“Is Khabib becoming more of a sell-out than Conor? At least we expect Conor to endorse alcohol, watches, and similar ventures. But Khabib, who retired citing his ‘mom,’ now seems to endorse everything under the sun. What’s next? Fitroo tampons?”
As Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to explore new avenues beyond his MMA career, the reactions from fans reflect the diverse opinions surrounding his choices. While some may feel let down, others acknowledge the evolution and opportunities that lie ahead for the celebrated athlete.