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The UFC lightweight champion has no plans to retire anytime soon, though he did acknowledge that he is no longer as young as he once was.
Back in 2017, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father and longtime mentor, Abdulmanap, suggested that his son would retire at the age of 30. And yet, despite now being a few weeks shy of his 31st birthday, it appears the UFC lightweight champion has no intention to retire anytime soon.
Speaking to Match TV (h/t crimerussia), Nurmagomedov hinted that he still has several fights left in him before he decides to hang up the gloves and move on to another stage in his life.
“I’m not ready to leave yet,” said Nurmagomedov. “Yes, I’m not a young fighter, I’m defending my belt for the second time, and I don’t have many fights left.”
The UFC champion has plenty of options to consider for his post-retirement life, including a potential career in politics. Once his UFC career is behind him, Khabib will likely follow in the footsteps of other notable Russian athletes. Some decide to open gyms and help train a new generation of athletes to represent their nation. Other pursue a career in politics, whether at a local or federal level. In Khabib’s case, he could potentially take on a role as sports advisor to the Kremlin, or a more pronounced role in the republic of Dagestan as a future minister of sports. The opportunities seem endless for the young star.
“I don’t want to fight when I’m 40. But to make a decision about leaving, I will need to talk with the team, discuss this with my father; I won’t make this decision alone.”
Nurmagomedov, 30, remains undefeated heading into the 28th fight of his professional career. He is scheduled to face Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 242, which takes place on September 7 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.