[ad_1] Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC 254 press convention Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press Though the previous light-weight champ stated it months in the past, UFC President Dana White refused to just accept it. However after months of hypothesis and an underwhelming non-announcement about “Khabib’s Decision,” White has lastly ceded defeat. Khabib Nurmagomedov is formally retired. The UFC’s head honcho confirmed the information on Thursday, taking to social media to thank Nurmagomedov for every little thing he had finished for the promotion. 29-0 it's. He's 💯 formally retired. It was unbelievable to look at you're employed @TeamKhabib thanks for EVERYTHING and revel in no matter is subsequent my pal. pic.twitter.com/QeoSP12zw2 — danawhite (@danawhite) March 19, 2021 “He's 100% formally retired. It was unbelievable to look at you're employed, @TeamKhabib. Thanks for EVERYTHING and revel in no matter is subsequent my pal,” White wrote, along with posting a photograph of the pair collectively. Nurmagomedov (29-0) first introduced his intention to retire following UFC 254 final October. The “Combat Island” card was the primary battle for Khabib since “The Eagle” misplaced his father to COVID-19 over the summer season. A clearly emotional Nurmagomedov seemed beside himself on the stroll out to the octagon, however carried out as all the time inside it, placing away the tough-as-nails Justin Gaethje with a second-round submission. He then shocked everybody by asserting he was finished. No battle with Tony Ferguson. No rematch with Conor McGregor. No super-fight with Georges St. Pierre. “The Eagle” had flown the coop, for good. White, for weeks after which months afterward, prompt that Khabib may return. In January, the non-event that was promoted as “Khabib’s Determination” got here all the way down to the fighter desirous to see one thing “spectacular” from the lightweights at UFC 257. Michael Chandler did certainly do something spectacular in his octagon debut, then unleashed a Rick Aptitude impressed promo afterward, calling out the ex-champ. That, apparently, wasn’t spectacular sufficient. With Khabib’s exit formally confirmed, the UFC now has a vacant light-weight title on its arms. Any certainly one of Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Charles Oliveira may very well be within the dialog for the following title shot — though Poirier has been linked to a trilogy battle with Conor McGregor. Nurmagomedov, in the meantime, leaves as one of many uncommon fighters to exit the game undefeated after competing on the highest stage. The Dagestani, identified for his smothering floor sport, earned wins over Poirier, McGregor, Gaethje, Rafael dos Anjos, and others throughout his profession. Not a one may resolve the puzzle that the American Kickboxing Academy fighter posed. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.11"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk")); [ad_2] Source link
Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC 254 press convention Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
