Dana White: Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn't sound positive about return

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says he is retired, but has remained in the USADA testing pool, leaving his options open. UFC president Dana White said “The Eagle” would be in attendance at UFC 257 and might take a fight if he saw something spectacular. At the post-fight press conference, White was not hopeful Nurmagomedov would fight again.

I did talk to Khabib, said White. He said to me, ‘Dana, be honest with yourself. You know, I’m so many levels above these guys. I beat these guys.’ I don’t know. I don’t know what he’s [thinking]. But it doesn’t sound very positive. So we’ll see. What he said was, and I told you guys before, he won’t hold the division up. I mean, he already retired. He’s basically retired. I’m the one that’s been trying to get him to do one more.

If Nurmagomedov is retired, White said Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler will likely fight for the title.

[Chandler and Poirier] just fought, White said. They’re not fighting again anytime soon. We’ll get it figured out.

However, Poirier says he’d rather sell hot sauce than fight the newcomer for a belt.

And Nurmagomedov and McGregor continue to trade shots.

“This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality, tweeted the champ.

McGregor was asked about it at the post-fight press conference.

“My team has been the team since day one,” replied McGregor. “I have not changed any team. It is what it is. Respect the athletes and that’s the character of the man for sure, behind the mask.

What’s he want to do? Does he want to come back or no? Because he’s not throwing no leg kicks.

If he wants to have his disrespectful comments, come back and let’s go again, my man. I’m here for it. That’s fighting talk. If you’re coming back, come back. You try and do it.

So what do you think UG? What’s the immediate future of the lightweight division?