Khabib Nurmagomedov has admitted that he turned down a huge amount of money to make a return to the UFC.
Nurmagomedov left the UFC with an unbeaten record of 29-0, which was summed up by stopping Justin Gaethje in his last fight at UFC 254. Although that may have been the case, Nurmagomedov had been linked with a rematch against Conor McGregor. In addition, given that UFC 300 is around the corner, there were big names being mentioned who could be on the bill. And yet, Khabib will not be one of those names, as the former UFC fighter turned down offers to come back. After all, following the death of his father, Nurmagomedov was vocal about a promise he had made his mother to walk away from the sport.
“When you best fighter in the world, when you strong enough, when you have money, when you famous, it’s very hard to say no to all these things. It’s very hard, it’s not easy. It’s not easy just saying no to 20, 30, 40 million dollars. But, for myself, it’s not everything. This is not [the] most important. It was not [an] easy decision, but if I decide, I decide, it’s finished. I leave this alone. I’m happy, and I never regret my decision, never,” Nurmagomedov said
Nurmagomedov has nothing else to prove in the sport, as he has turned his attention towards coaching and setting up his gym in Abu Dhabi. And if that can have the impact of bringing through the next generation of fighters, then Nurmagomedov’s legacy will continue. And that respect for the fighter’s legacy was shown on social media, with many supporting Nurmagomedov’s decision.
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Man of character 👏
— Rahil (@Rahil_Rasheed01) November 10, 2023
Hero
— Johan Cruijff (@Johancruijff123) November 10, 2023