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Time of India
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts door on UFC return with honest message about fight life
Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts door on UFC return with honest message about fight life (Image Via Google) Although it has been nearly five years since Khabib Nurmagomedov's last battle, the unbeaten UFC great still has followers hoping he may return to the cage. Following a strong victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020, the Russian superstar stopped down. At 32, he was at his height. Since then, talk of a comeback has never gone away. But now, after a recent interview on July 27, 2025, Khabib has made it clearer than ever why stepping back into the Octagon is no longer possible for him. Khabib Nurmagomedov says very long training needed for return Speaking on The Hustle Show in an interview aired on July 27, 2025, Khabib Nurmagomedov explained that a return to fighting would take much more than a few weeks of practice. He said, 'Two or three months wouldn't be enough. I'll be 37 in September.' According to him, getting ready for an actual fight would take at least six months of full focus and strict routine. — alkassenglish (@alkassenglish) Khabib explained that many people look at fighters and think they're ready just by how fit they look. But that's not how it works. He stated that what actually counts is the number of sparring rounds you have completed and the standard of your sparring opponents. He also said that when he fought, his life was totally focused, no travel, no additional activities, six days a week of morning and evening training and rest on Sunday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo He made it very evident that cardio or weight training do not get you ready for an actual fight. Khabib Nurmagomedov remains committed to coaching his team On October 24, 2020, Khabib triangled Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi to defend his UFC lightweight title for the third time in his career. After the fight, he retired in the cage, fulfilling a promise he made to his mother after losing his father and lifelong coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He's now concentrating on coaching. He works closely with Islam Makhachev, current UFC lightweight champion, as well as his cousins Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov. Khabib has firmly said there is 'no chance—not even one percent' of a comeback and even turns down wrestling or grappling match offers. Also Read: Conor McGregor Fires Back At Khabib Nurmagomedov In Deleted Post As UFC Feud Resurfaces FAQs 1. Will Khabib Nurmagomedov ever fight in UFC again? No, Khabib says there's 'no chance' he'll return to the UFC or fight again. 2. Why did Khabib Nurmagomedov retire so early? He retired in 2020 to honor a promise to his mother after his father passed away. 3. Is Khabib Nurmagomedov still involved in MMA? Yes, Khabib now coaches fighters like Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Irish Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
MMA legend believes Conor McGregor rivalry was orchestrated by UFC
MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his rivalry with Conor McGregor was orchestrated by the UFC. McGregor and Khabib clashed in 2018 after years of animosity, with the Russian winning by submission as he retained the UFC lightweight title in one of the biggest ever fights in the sport's history. The build-up to the bout was fraught with controversy. Beginning with McGregor's infamous attack on a fighter's bus in New York which contained Nurmagomedov and ending with a string of uncomfortably personal press conferences, the rivalry was probably the most heated of the last decade. And MMA icon Khabib believes the feud was stoked by the UFC in a similar style to how a WWE storyline plays out, and he is convinced that upper management were pulling the strings behind the scenes. "Hunter might not like hearing this, but it was Dana White who built that fight up," Khabib said in a recent interview for The Hustle Show. "It was all Dana's doing. I even told him he did a good job. 'Good job, Dana.' Not just him. Hunter alone wouldn't have been enough. They were all involved." The now retired MMA superstar also spoke about how his scheduled final confrontation with McGregor never came to fruition thanks to McGregor's non-existent timekeeping skills. 'I still had weight to cut,' Nurmagomedov said. 'Everything was scheduled to the minute. At 2:30 p.m. you're supposed to arrive at the arena. You go backstage and wait, everyone is supposed to be there by 2:30. "At 3 p.m., the press conference starts. According to the schedule and the contract, it runs from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m., I think, no delays allowed. I showed up and asked if he had arrived yet. "They said, 'No.' And someone said, 'He hasn't even left yet.' He's probably going to be late. And I'm like, 'Aha.' Nurmagomedov went on to win that fight by submission and emphatically end the feud. He retired in 2020 after beating Justin Gaethje and hung up his gloves with a professional record of 29-0.
