Khabib Nurmagomedov's MMA retirement was "blown out proportion"

30 January 2023 , 09:47

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Khabib Nurmagomedov's MMA retirement was "blown out proportion"

Khabib Nurmagomedov's decision to leave MMA for good has been "blown out of proportion" according to his friend and business partner.

The legendary former UFC lightweight champion went 29-0 in his career before shocking fans when he decided to hang up the gloves in October 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje. However, he stuck around the sport as a coach and promoter, working the corner for the likes of Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov.

But he again surprised fans at the end of last year when he confirmed that after a busy year cornering a number of top fighters he would be completely leaving the sport. It's believed that he will stay around his local gym in Dagestan, and could return on the business side when his promotion Eagle FC put on shows in future.

"As always, the media blows everything out of proportion," Shamil Zavurov told YouTube channel Sambo Says. "Always, this happens… Khabib simply gathered the guys and explained to them that in the past year, he had not missed one competition. He traveled to every single competition, either Islam is getting ready, or Usman, or Umar, or Tagir, or Zubaira.

"So, he took a look at the situation, weighed it out, and realised that in the past year, he was only home 2-3 months. So, he very carefully explained to the guys that he has a family and that he needs to devote more time to them - nothing has changed. We will still help and support each other as before. Just Khabib won’t be going anywhere.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov is leaving MMA for good (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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"He won’t always be traveling with them and spending so much time with them. He’s going to be spending a bit more time with his family. That’s all it is."

And Zavurov has admitted that Eagle FC would struggle if Nurmagomedov were to completely leave the sport, noting that the promotion is almost entirely built from his involvement. They expanded to America last year, but appear to have slowed down on promoting events there, instead opting to stick in the Russian market.

“Of course, like things were before there won’t be a time like that again," Zavurov continued. "But to just leave, I don’t think is possible - we will continue our efforts in moving forward Eagle FC. We understand that if Khabib leaves, the organisation will fall apart tomorrow. Eagle FC depends on Khabib.”

Donagh Corby