“Happy retirement kid, smell ya later”.
Well, it’s official, Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired.
After months of speculation about a possible comeback, Nurmagomedov announced yesterday that his time in the UFC has come to an end and that he will not be returning to the octagon to defend his lightweight title.
“It was a good dinner with some great people. @danawhite thank you so much brother and the entire @ufc team for the opportunity to prove myself, you guys have changed many live forever because of this sport
Dana – I’ll never forget your attitude towards me, my father did not forget and my sons will remember you.Today there was a real conversation between real men.
Also thank you to all team, sparing partners and all fans. I hope you will accept my decision and understand me,” Khabib posted on Instagram yesterday, which was met with the following response from Conor McGregor, whom Nurmagomedov submitted in 2018.
“Happy retirement kid, smell ya later. Never forget who came in the game and made ye. Straight from my big Irish balls. Remember folks, if you hate cutting weight so much, all you have to do is move up a division. God bless,” McGregor posted on Friday, insinuating that his epic rivalry with Khabib made ‘The Eagle’ into the superstar he is today.
With Nurmagomedov officially retired, former three-time Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler will square off against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 on May 15 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
McGregor, 32, is expected to return to the Octagon later this year to complete his trilogy with Dustin Poirier.