Footage Shows How Dana White Is Trying To Convince Khabib Nurmagomedov To Come Out Of Retirement

Dana White is trying to use the possibility of a rematch with Conor McGregor to get Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement, as footage shows.

The UFC lightweight champion decided to retire after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 back in October, but White has been trying to get him to change his mind ever since.

Last week the UFC president held talks with Khabib and claimed the Russian had told him if someone did something 'spectacular' then he would come back.

White was referring to this weekend's UFC 257 on Fight Island, with McGregor vs Dustin Poirier headlining and Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler the co-main event in the same weight division.

Whilst the head of the promotion did reference all four men, as well as Charles Oliveira, it's clear a rematch with McGregor make most sense and footage proves that's the fight that White is using when talking to the Eagle.

According to Tapology, Khabib's win over the Notorious in October 2018 is the best performing pay-per-view in UFC history.

The controversial UFC 229 main event helped reach a 2,400,000 buy rate and White's suggestion that the Irishman's return to action for his rematch with Poirier is even more popular is huge.

Considering the animosity of their previous fight, there's little doubt that a rematch between Khabib and McGregor would be huge.

At the pre fight press conference on Thursday, former lightweight champ McGregor was in optimistic mood about a rematch, saying 'we'll get him!'

McGregor and Khabib square up. Image: PA Images

The 32-year-old did question whether Khabib was actually looking for something 'spectacular' and claimed that the undefeated Eagle should have to give up his title, something White did say the champion would do if he wasn't returning to action.

From his side, Khabib hasn't exactly sounded like a man planning on getting back in the octagon, "Something has to happen for me to come back," he said in his reply to White's announcement following their talks, "And if we talk about my business projects - I have so much to do that is planned and fights are not in these plans.

"My mother is the most precious thing I have left. Come on, you won't push me to do things that will disappoint my mother. I don't even have any plans for the UFC in the near future."

Will Khabib come out of retirement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Dustin Poirier, UFC News, MMA News, UFC 257, UFC, MMA

Ryan Sidle

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