Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate reckons he would come back at middleweight if he ever did return, and immediately win gold.
The legendary lightweight world champion retired at 29-0 on top of his game after his family asked him to hang up his gloves in 2020. His father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov had just passed away, and he quickly moved into promoting and coaching.
Now, he has guided his team, including 2024 PFL champion Gadhzi Rabadanov, to every major title in the world at lightweight. He is still on the mats daily, though, and the PFL tournament winner reckons if he did come back he would still be at the sport’s pinnacle.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘still trains every day’ after retirement
Since deciding to quit MMA after his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Khabib Nurmagomedov has turned his hand to a number of different ventures. He briefly promoted Eagle FC events, and has cornered the likes of Rabadanov and his cousins Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov to world honors.
And he manages to do it all while maintaining a rigorous training schedule, where he spars at the top level with the best in the gym. Speaking with Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat, Rabadanov explained: “He still trains every day.
“He trains like a professional fighter still, ever single day, he’s never going to stop. If he could he’d train while he’s flying or in the Arabian dessert.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov would defeat Dricus Du Plessis if he did return
At the time that Khabib decided to hang up his gloves, he had just turned 32 a week prior. After stoppage wins over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and finally Justin Gaethje, there was a belief that there wasn’t a lightweight around who could beat him.
However, he has bulked up in his time away from the cage, and now would never be able to make it back to the 155lb limit that saw him miss weight and even be hospitalized during his younger years. He is believed to walk around over 200lb, although Rabadanov doesn’t feel he would be a light-heavyweight.
Another factor at play is that the lightweight champion in the UFC is currently his protege Islam Makhachev. And even up at welterweight, his training partner Belal Muhammad holds the strap, meaning he would likely have to move up even further.
“He’s not lightweight any more,” Rabadanov continued. “I think maybe middleweight is good. 100 per cent [he could beat Dricus Du Plessis]. Khabib is different level.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov will never return says teammate
However, it’s highly unlikely that the legendary lightweight will ever make a return to fighting. Dana White used to pepper him with offers after his initial emotional speech following the Gaethje fight, but he remained strong.
Eventually, the UFC conceded and were forced to make a fight for the vacant belt, and now years later he remains champion in a way through coaching Makhachev. And Rabadanov notes that the area in which they were raised, a man’s word is his bond.
“Where we come from if a man says his word he keeps it,” he explained when asked if his teammates ever ask him to make a return. “So no, he will never fight again.”
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