Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals Dana White and the UFC are still pushing him to make a comeback.
Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed in a recent interview with UFC Russia that UFC president Dana White is still trying to convince him to make a comeback despite repeatedly insisting that he is retired.
“You know a few days ago — I don’t know whether I can go on record, (Ali) Abdelaziz called me a few weeks ago,” Khabib, who retired following his submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, said (transcript via BJPenn.com). “He asked me, ‘Do you know what Dana White asked me?’ and told me (Dana asked), ‘Why does Khabib (Nurmagomedov) never ask me how much money I can offer for his return?’ I asked Abdelaziz, ‘This is the question for me through you or what?’ And he told me, ‘Nah, Dana just asked.’”
Khabib reiterated that he will not be returning to the octagon no matter how hard White and the UFC try to lure him out of retirement.
“Look, I am really not interested,” Khabib said. “We went down this road. I said and did everything I wanted. I made the decision. However, (Dana White) is not giving up. Not even Dana but the entire UFC headquarters in Las Vegas, (Nevada). They assume I [I’ll] inflate my price or prepare my agenda for future negotiations. I left, ‘But come on guys, change my mind give me money or something.’ It feels like that for me. I believe they will understand me and my choice eventually.”
Nurmagomedov retired with an undefeated record of 29-0 and is widely considered one of, if not the, best UFC fighters of all time.