Islam Makhachev, the current lightweight champion succeeding Khabib Nurmagomedov, acknowledges that the former champion misses the MMA spotlight.
After securing his third-straight lightweight title defense against Justin Gaethje in October 2020, “The Eagle" announced his retirement from the sport following the passing of his coach and father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Since then, speculation regarding Nurmagomedov"s potential return has been rampant, with rumors surfacing almost every other week about his comeback to achieve a 30th career win.
Although no return has materialized thus far, Makhachev revealed that Nurmagomedov still yearns for the fight game and continues to train regularly.
“I think he’s happy, but he misses fighting, fight camp, the fight game," Makhachev shared on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo.
“That’s why he joins us everywhere. He loves to train; every day he trains. Not just when he’s with us, every day this guy’s training… He has a house in the village, a house in the city. Each house has a sauna, swimming pool, everything."
Islam Makhachev says that Khabib misses fighting:
"I think [Khabib] is happy but this guy miss the fighting, fight camp. That’s why he joins with us everywhere…
He loves to train, everyday he trains. Not just when he’s with us. Everyday this guy’s training."
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 16, 2024
While rumors swirl about Nurmagomedov"s potential return, his friend and former training partner Daniel Cormier revealed that he turned down a staggering $40 million offer to make a comeback to the Octagon. Although neither party disclosed the contract"s details, it would have been one of the most significant deals in UFC history.
Recent rumors speculate once again about Nurmagomedov"s potential return to MMA, fueled by allegations that he owes 306 million rubles, approximately $3.3 million, to the Russian Federal Tax Service.
Despite denials from Nurmagomedov"s team, if the claim proves true, it could provide further motivation for a return to the Octagon, with UFC President Dana White likely eager to facilitate Nurmagomedov"s pursuit of a 30-0 record on MMA"s grandest stage.
