Khabib Nurmagomedov once opened up about a private conversation with Dana White, where the UFC CEO inquired about the price it would take for him to make a comeback to the octagon.
Nurmagomedov stunned the combat sports world with his sudden retirement from active competition following his second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020, marking a successful third and final defense of his lightweight title.
White persistently sought to sway Nurmagomedov’s decision to retire. However, ‘The Eagle’ remained firm in his choice to stay away from competing, despite the UFC CEO reportedly making a tempting offer to lure him back.
White persistently sought to sway Nurmagomedov’s decision to retire. However, ‘The Eagle’ remained firm in his choice to stay away from competing, despite the UFC CEO reportedly making a tempting offer to lure him back.
During an interview with the Russian media outlet Night in a Cage in August 2023, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that Dana White once asked him what it would take financially to persuade him to make a comeback.
The former UFC lightweight champion explained that, as a Dagestani, he values an unmaterialistic life and even $100 million would not tempt him to break the promise he made to his mother:
“You know… in Russia, people are happy with very little things. People don’t make five or 10 thousand dollars a month and… I don’t know. Where I’m from, Dagestan… we don’t need much. Dana once asked: ‘Brother, why don’t you ever ask me how much I’ll pay you for the comeback?’ – ‘Brother, it doesn’t matter, even if you pay me $100 million’. Why?”
He added:
“Because I am from Dagestan, we have traditions. When we talk to our mothers, that’s all for us. We talked with my mother and decided that this fight [with Gaethje] would be the last, and that’s it. Finish.”
Nurmagomedov’s decision to retire from MMA was deeply influenced by the tragic loss of his father to complications from COVID-19 in July 2020. This devastating event led ‘The Eagle’ to make a solemn promise to his mother, vowing to retire from the sport with a perfect 29-0 record.
When Khabib Nurmagomedov promised fans they’re “never going to miss” him in MMA post-retirement
During an interview with iNews in September, Khabib Nurmagomedov was asked about the prospect of a return to the cage. ‘The Eagle’ made it clear that there is absolutely no chance of him coming out of retirement.
However, the UFC Hall of Famer reassured fans that they wouldn’t miss his presence, as he has already nurtured a new generation of fighters who will continue to uphold his legacy:
“If you guys need champions, I’m helping my brothers to become champions… We have Islam [Makhachev], a champion, Umar [Nurmagomedov], the next contender, and we have Usman [Nurmagomedov], a champion. You guys are never gonna miss me because, in our team, our gym, we create champions. You guys are always gonna have a champion; don’t worry about this.”
Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments below (57:35):