Dana speaks out about Khabib's retirement: 'I felt like it was really over'

D. White at a press conference at the UFC 260. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

After confirming his retirement, the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg.) Khabib Nurmagomedov stated that he didn't even think about returning to Ultimate. The Russian 'hung up his gloves' after winning Justin gaethje in October 2020. When asked about the matter, the company's president, Dana White, stated that he tried everything so that the 'Eagle' rethink his position, but his relationship with his family weighed on the negotiation process.

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“The last dinner I just had with Khabib, I felt like it was really over. He feels that his fight was a lot of pressure on his parents. So with everything that's happened to his dad (death from COVID-19 complications), he's looking at his mom saying, 'I just can't do this to my mom.' I feel like he’s not really coming back”, analyzed Dana White at a press conference at UFC 260.

At the time, Khabib justified that he would retire, as it would not 'make sense' to continue without his father and mentor, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who passed away as a result of Covid-19, in July of last season.

At 32 years old, the Russian left MMA with a perfect record. In 29 appearances in the sport, he didn't know what it was like to lose. During his career, Khabib achieved victories against big names, such as Conor McGregor, Dustin poirier e Rafael Dos Anjos.

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