Training partner at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) and personal friend of the UFC lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg), Daniel Cormier do you know Khabib Nurmagomedov like few others. Upon seeing his partner announce his early retirement from MMA, after UFC 254, the North American believes that the Russian was sincere in his decision, but does not rule out a change of stance in the future.
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"I know Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his word, it is usually definitive. Now, would I be surprised if the economic impact of a fight could bring him back? No, and I wouldn't judge him if he came back. He's 32 years old, guys, and he can still beat everyone in the world. But if he gave his word, I believe him,” said Daniel, on his podcast 'DC & Helwani'.
Former light heavyweight (up to 93kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) champion and also recently retired from the sport, Cormier, however, praised the UFC's attitude. Now a commentator, Daniel believes that keeping Khabib at the top of his division and not immediately excluding him from the rankings was a perfect maneuver by Dana White and his team.
“That was smart. This speaks to the value that Khabib has. Henry Cejudo retired and, on the same night, they announced that Petr yan he would face someone for the (vacant) belt. You don't do this with Khabib Nurmagomedov. You sit, wait and hope. As Dana said, he (Khabib) was very emotional. You may notice this. You hope things change and you have that 30th fight,” Cormier said.
Daniel also commented on the fact that his retirement was taken quickly. Khabib had made his first preparations for a confrontation without the presence of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in early July, a victim of complications from Covid-19. DC then stated that there should be no rush for the lightweight champion's fate to be decided. Everything can be resolved in 2021.
“You don’t even have to make this decision in January. I think it can wait until next summer (June). The reality is that it's difficult, the way things have been going with the pandemic and everything. Khabib was going to fight in April, but didn't show up until October. (…) If he needs more time, create an interim belt and he will beat the champion. That’s what happened the last few times,” he concluded.
In the fight that marked Khabib's retirement (so far), the Russian defeated Justin gaethje, in a confrontation valid for the unification of the lightweight titles. After the triumph, the 'Águia' reached its 29th positive result in a row and remained undefeated in MMA.
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