For the time being, Khabib
Nurmagomedov will remain the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s
lightweight title holder.
“The Eagle” surprisingly announced his retirement following a
second-round submission victory over Justin
Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner on Oct. 24. During a recent
interview, UFC president Dana White said that he
had a “feeling” Nurmagomedov would eventually return in hopes
of pursing a 30-0 career mark.
Following UFC Fight Night 181 on Saturday, White reiterated that
sentiment at the evening’s post-fight press conference.
“Well, he didn’t say that he’ll fight, but he didn’t say no,” White
said. “He’s considering the 30-0. His father wanted it and I think
that he was super-emotional. (He) had the mumps, measles or
whatever, broken toe, trained on a stationary bike for that fight,
and then came in and fought, and he was super emotional.”
When Nurmagomedov made his announcement, he said his decision was
based on a promise he made to his mother prior to UFC 254. However,
as long as the chance remains that Nurmagomedov could return, the
UFC lightweight crown will not be vacated, White says. That means
the targeted upcoming clash between Conor
McGregor and Dustin
Poirier, for example, will not likely have championship
hardware on the line.
“He’s still the champ – there’s no vacant title open right now, or
no interim title happening,” White said of Nurmagomedov. “He’s the
champ and we’ll give him some time to figure out what he wants to
do. … I feel pretty good [about it]. He said he was going to talk
with his mother.”