UFC lightweight champion and division GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov says he is retired, citing the death of his father Abdulmanap in July, and promises he made to his mother. UFC president Dana White has not yet stripped “The Eagle” in the hope of enticing the champ into one last fight that could push his record to the 30-0 father and son long discussed. Nurmagomedov was not sufficiently impressed. There is talk of the mother of all superfights vs. welterweight GOAT Georges St-Pierre, but in the unlikely event that happens, GSP reasonably called for it to be at their walkaround weight, in the 180s. Thus the UFC lightweight title appears to be vacant.
Khabib lent further support to that, in a recent Russian language interview with Match TV.
I’m focused on my own big projects, four or five of them. I have to spend time on them, said Nurmagomedov, as translated by RT Sport. As for my career as a fighter, I don’t want to go into details. Dana’s an honest person, we always had an honest relationship. I think he’ll let the media know the message that I sent him a week ago.
It’s not a secret, I just told him how I’d like things to develop, not only related to me, but the lightweight division in general. I told [Dana] I don’t want the division to be held up. But on the other hand, fighters have only just been in action and people already understand in general who we’ll see fighting for the title.”
I know they’re already making plans, I think for around May or June for a title fight. But between who? Dana told me he isn’t done yet. I can say that. When I told him the lightweight division needs to move on, he told me he isn’t done. He said to me, ‘When you fly to Vegas at the end of February, we’ll sit down and talk.’ Dana needs to make some kind of decision. But whatever the decision, I’ll agree with it.
[Dustin] Poirier deserves to be champion, that’s my personal opinion. Look at who he’s fought. Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Max Holloway. He’s fought me, Conor [McGregor] – these are all top fighters, maybe fighters who will end up in the UFC Hall of Fame.
I think intrigue will appear in the lightweight division as soon as they decide the title fight and eliminator. At the moment, it’s held up and not clear what Dana’s thinking. I think it’s going to be on fire in the lightweight division this summer.
The lightweight division has always been the most competitive, the most interesting, with big stars. It will take new turns this summer… a new, younger, generation is already coming, plus there’s [Michael] Chandler, [Charles] Oliviera, Poirier, [Justin] Gaethje, a lot of good fighters. With that mix, it will be interesting this summer and towards the end of the year.
In sum, Khabib wants to move on, Dana is going to pitch him one more time at the end of this month, and the title will be fought for in May or June, with one of the fighters being Poirier. UG, who will “The Diamond” fight for the vacant belt?
