If you've been waiting for Khabib Nurmagomedov to step back into the octagon, hoping that he reverses his decision to retire, well, it might be time to hang up those hopes.
It's been over four years since fans last saw "The Eagle" in the octagon, but he's been a frequent presence sitting outside of it, coaching up his cast of gifted protégés to new heights in UFC.
However, in a recent interview with ESPNMMA's Brett Okamoto, the former champ said that he plans to officially retire from both MMA and coaching once his students also decide to hang up their gloves.
"When these guys finish, I'm gonna finish," Nurmagomedov said. "I hope it's gonna be very fast, because I'm tired of all this. We on top of this game, like, eight years, seven years since I've become champion."
After exiting the octagon for the last time on Oct. 24, 2020, submitting Justin Gaethje and defending his lightweight title for a record-tying third consecutive time, Nurmagomedov and his spotless 29-0 record chose to take up coaching.
In his new venture, the Russian superstar has brought fighters like current lightweight champ Islam Makhachev and Bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov, who will be taking on current champ Merab Dvalishvilli at UFC 311.
"We almost don't lose, and I talk about 25 professional fighters," Khabib said. "We fight, we almost don't lose to everybody we fight around the world, everywhere."
Umar Nurmagomedov is set to take his undefeated 17-0 record into Saturday's bout hoping to prove his coach right. You can catch the action on Sportsnet.
