LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks to UFC president Dana White during the UFC 229 Press Conference inside The Park Theater at Park MGM on October 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

White ends pursuit of Khabib: He's 'officially retired'

Michael McClymont
5 years ago
Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty

Dana White has given up his pursuit of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The UFC president, who's been trying to convince the undefeated fighter to step back into the Octagon, said Thursday night on Twitter that the lightweight champion is "officially retired" at 29-0.

Nurmagomedov shocked the MMA world in October when he followed his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 by announcing his retirement.

His father, Abdulmanap, died of COVID-19 complications in July and Nurmagomedov said he promised his mother that the bout against Gaethje would be his last.

Nonetheless, White spent the following months trying to convince the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter to go for 30-0. Nurmagomedov brushed off each of the UFC's advances.

The lightweight division will move forward with Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fighting for the vacant belt at UFC 262 on May 15, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES