Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to be the UFC lightweight winner irrespective of announcing his retirement subsequent a get in excess of Justin Gaethje in October.
Just times immediately after the undefeated Dagestani submitted Gaethje to defend his title for the 3rd time, he laid down his gloves in the octagon to confirm his combating days are at the rear of him. Nurmagomedov was competing for the 1st time since the tragic loss of life of his father Abdulmanap earlier this 12 months and he exposed that he built a promise to his mom that he would retire adhering to the fight with Gaethje.
Days later on, UFC president Dana White stated that he experienced talked to Nurmagomedov in the wake of his announcement and felt confident that the reigning light-weight winner would return for at the very least just one extra combat. When nothing has been made the decision still, White says he’s giving Nurmagomedov time to determine his foreseeable future, which is why he will keep on being the lightweight winner with no designs to vacate the belt or hand out an interim title.
“He didn’t say that he’ll combat whatever but he did not say no,” White explained when asked about Nurmagomedov at the UFC Vegas 12 write-up struggle push conference. “He’s contemplating the 30-. His father required it and I imagine that he was super psychological. Experienced the mumps or measles or regardless of what, damaged toe, skilled on a stationary bike for that battle and then came in and fought.. I feel he was super emotional.
“He’s however the champ. There is no vacant title open proper now or no interim title taking place. He’s the champ and we’ll give him some time to determine out what he needs to do.”
Though Nurmagomedov earlier promised his mother that he wouldn’t battle all over again, White claims he designs to speak with her in the coming days pertaining to his potential.
“He reported he was going to speak with his mother,” White uncovered.
Further than Nurmagomedov’s standing as the UFC light-weight champion, he also achieved one more aspiration subsequent his earn above Gaethje and that was having more than the leading location in the pound-for-pound rankings.
All through his UFC occupation, Nurmagomedov had under no circumstances been rated No. 1 pound-for-pound but that ultimately modified after he moved his record to 29- even though only getting rid of two rounds when competing within the octagon.
Of training course, Nurmagomedov’s position arrived at the expense of former gentle heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who has occupied that prime location for a huge component of the last decade.
Pointless to say, Jones was none much too delighted that Nurmagomedov was ranked in advance of him once the UFC produced the new pound-for-pound rankings but White states that was absolutely the appropriate move to make.
“He is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” White mentioned about Nurmagomedov. “I imply just that effectiveness with Gaethje on major of getting undefeated and only possibly dropping two rounds in his full occupation, I would say he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the environment.
“I’ve been telling you guys Jon Jones is the GOAT for good. He’s not the pound-for-pound most effective fighter in the world suitable now.”