UFC president Dana White has ruled out a return to the octagon for Khabib Nurmagomedov, insisting he's "100% officially retired".
The 32-year-old retired with a 100 percent MMA record after successfully defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October.
Nurmagomedov is considered among the greatest fighters in the history of the sport and had been speculated that he could talked into a u-turn for potentially lucrative bouts against Conor McGregor and Georges St-Pierre.
Khabib's father and coach, Abdulmanap, passed away due to COVID-19 complications last summer and he promised his mother that he would walk away from MMA after the Gaethje bout and White has confirmed that remains his position.
"Khabib is retired and doesn't wanna hold up the division," White told ESPN when asked about a recent Las Vegas meeting with Nurmagomedov. "Tonight was our final meeting and he is retired."
"29-0 it is," the UFC president later tweeted. "He is 100 officially retired. It was incredible to watch you work Khabib. Thank you for EVERYTHING and enjoy whatever is next my friend."
29-0 it is.
He is 💯 officially retired. It was incredible to watch you work @TeamKhabib thank you for EVERYTHING and enjoy whatever is next my friend. pic.twitter.com/QeoSP12zw2
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 19, 2021
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