Khabib Nurmagomedov may be retiring early after UFC 209

This past weekend, undefeated UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov was set to return to the Octagon at UFC 209 to fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight championship. Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov was pulled from the fight the morning of weigh-ins after he was hospitalized.

Fortunately, following the incident, UFC President Dana White stated that Nurmagomedov would be okay, but he would need to take some time to recover from the brutal weight cut:

“He was having pains either where your kidneys are or your liver or something – I don’t know the exact specifics, but he was having pains,” White said. “He looked terrible. I don’t think there was any real damage done to it. When I say damage, I mean longterm. It’s going to take him a little while to recover from this weight cut.”

Unfortunately, according to AKA head coach Javier Mendez, revealed on Submission Radio that Nurmagomedov’s early retirement could be “potentially happening” because of pressure from his father.

“Being that his father, like I said, is a huge influence on him and if that’s what him and his father decide to do then that’s what will happen. And I support it if that’s what they want. But you know, time will tell, right? I mean, he first has to get that title and I think that’s a very important thing in his life, and I would think if his body is not 100 percent healthy and his mind is the way it’s always been, like wanting to be the best, then it may be longer than 30 because of the fact that things like this happen – delays, injuries, he gets injured, his opponent gets injured. But I see it potentially happening if that’s what they wish.”

This isn’t the first time, Nurmagomedov’s early retirement has been discussed, after he was forced out of a fight with a knee injury several years ago, it was rumored that Nurmagomedov would be retiring.

on 3/10/2017.