It appears increasingly unlikely that legendary UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov will make a return to the world of MMA.
Khabib’s cousin Usman recently spoke about it in an interview with ESPN MMA reporter Marc Raimondi. During the conversation, Usman disclosed his skepticism regarding the former UFC lightweight champion’s potential comeback, despite the allure of substantial financial gains.
Usman expressed his longing for Khabib’s return. He confessed to reaching out to him daily with the same pressing question, only to be met with evasive responses.
“I miss him a lot to be honest. I text him everyday, like ‘Hey, when you come back?’ He tells me, ‘Hey, leave me alone’.”
The 25-year-old Bellator sensation emphasized Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unwavering commitment to his principles. He firmly believes that Khabib’s integrity would deter him from making a comeback to the sport he once dominated.
Usman continued: “If he say something, he follow. This man like this is like what I learned for my life now. Like, this is example for me, not only like in this sport, like in life too. And when I see when he tell something, he always follow his word. I don’t think he’s going to become coach, corner. Even he don’t come to watch fight in arena.”
Nurmagomedov was rumored to have been asked to grapple Georges St Pierre on the November card of UFC Invitational – but some claim he priced himself out.
Khabib’s manager nixes claim he asked $5M to grapple Georges St Pierre.
It would be fascinating to watch whether Khabib Nurmagomedov ever reconsiders his decision to quit the sport. This is particularly in light of Islam Makhachev and Usman’s success.
Usman is set to grace the cage at Bellator 300. He will be defending his Bellator lightweight title against former champion Brent Primus in the semi-finals of the lightweight Grand Prix.
Usman has an impeccable 17-0 MMA record. He recently asserted his dominance with a first-round submission victory over Benson Henderson, a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion. The two competed in the quarter-finals of the lightweight Grand Prix.
Should Usman emerge victorious against Primus, he will advance to the Grand Prix finals and will be competing for the $1 million prize money.