Dana White Confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov's Retirement From UFC

Dana White has finally confirmed Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement, saying '100%' the undefeated lightweight is done and won't fight again.

Immediately following his 29th MMA victory, over Justin Gaethje, in October, Khabib announced that he was retiring from the sport, taking off his gloves in the middle of the ring.

The Russian sadly lost his father, and coach, during the Covid-19 pandemic and said in the octagon, "I promised [my mother] it was going to be my last fight, If I give my word, I have to follow it. It was my last fight here."

White refused to strip the UFC lightweight champion of his belt and has held talks on several occasions to tempt him to continue fighting.

On Friday morning, following his latest talks with Khabib, the UFC president took to Instagram to confirm the news that the 32-year-old wouldn't be returning and thanked him for his career.

Speaking to ESPN, White confirmed the news again, saying, "Khabib is retired and doesn't wanna hold up the division," something he's repeated several times whilst refusing to strip the Eagle of his title.

"Tonight was our final meeting and he is retired."

The division will no longer be held up however, with confirmation that Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira are finalising a deal to fight at UFC 262 on May 15.

That fight will be for the title, meaning that Dustin Poirier misses out on the chance to fight for the belt, suggesting he will face Conor McGregor for a third time.

Former Bellator champion Chandler was in attendance for Khabib vs Gaethje, ahead of his UFC debut, but wasn't needed to step in as a replacement.

However he did make his debut in the co-main event for Poirier's victory over McGregor, stopping Dan Hooker in the first round in sensational style.

Oliveira is on an eight fight winning streak if the UFC, with his most recent win coming against former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson at UFC 256 in December.

The lightweight division has now been blown open, but it's certain to be poorer without Khabib.

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, UFC, MMA, Dana White

Ryan Sidle

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