Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov is officially retired

Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov has officially retired.

After months of will-he-or-won’t-he we finally have our answer … UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has officially retired. The news was confirmed by ESPN and UFC president Dana White late Thursday evening.

“29-0 it is,” White wrote on Twitter. “He is officially retired. It was incredible to watch you work [Khabib] thank you for everything and enjoy whatever is next my friend.”

Nurmagomedov shocked the MMA world by announcing he was retired following his UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje. The champion stated he promised his mother he would not fight after the death of his father and longtime coach. Nurmagomedov amassed a 29-0 professional record over the span of his career.

Many, including White, were unable to accept his retirement and White teased the possibility of his return on many occasions. The pair had several meetings where White hoped to convince Nurmagomedov to return and accomplish the 30-0 status he wanted for him.

Nurmagomedov holds wins over the likes of Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Al Iaquinta and Rafael dos Anjos among many others. He is credited with bringing MMA to his home country of Dagestan.

His career was not without controversy as he was involved in a post-fight incident with Conor McGregor and his cornermen that White considered being a dark moment in UFC history. He was also in and out of a fight with Tony Ferguson over the course of five years. That fight never came to fruition.

Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler will now fight for the vacant lightweight championship at UFC 262 on May 15.

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