UFC lightweight champion and GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov retired at 29-0, after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on October 24, 2020, citing a promise he made to his mother. UFC president Dana White has kept “The Eagle” as champion, and there are multiple signs that that’s not just wishful thinking. Nurmagomedov remains in the USADA testing pool, and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, in November posted a message on Twitter – “30-0” – a reference on Khabib’s deceased father and coach Abdulamanap’s plan to retire with that record.

Nurmagomedov appeared in person at UFC 257 with the explicit plan that he would watch the event and if he saw a worthy challenger and fight once more Despite Dustin Poirier defeating Conor McGregor in the main event, and Michael Chandler having an epic league debut in the co-main, the champ saw nothing sufficiently inspiring.

But White is not quitting, as he explained at Thursday’s UFC 259 pre-fight news conference.

We’re going to have dinner on Saturday or Sunday and just talk and see, said White. I think a lot of these fights have to play out in that division. From nine all the way up to number one, they’re incredible fights. You can mix or match them any way you want and they’re really good fights.

Let some of these play out to see who will fight next for the title. I think if Khabib is interested, he’ll take the fight. You don’t see Khabib saying, ‘Leave me alone. Stop asking me.’ So there’s still a chance. That’s the way I look at it.

What Khabib wants is a superfight vs. welterweight GOAT Georges St-Pierre, who is likewise game. But White’s not biting, perhaps burned by giving GSP a superfight vs. then middleweight champion Michael Bisping, and then seeing GSP re-retire with a win. Or perhaps Ramazan Rabadanov, commentator and friend of the Nurmagomedov family, was correct when he said Khabib is just holding out until Islam Makhachev gets as close as possible to the title, so the belt can be passed on to a comrade.

UG, what do you think – will Khabib fight again, and if so, who will be the opponent?

h/t Nolan King and Ken Hathaway for MMA Junkie