Will Khabib Nurmagomedov Fight in 2024?

By Ali Hammad March 20, 2024 18:38

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the retired UFC lightweight champion, has been the center of speculation surrounding a potential return to the octagon in 2024.

The rumors and statements from various sources have stirred curiosity among fans and the MMA community.

In this article, we'll delve into the details surrounding this question, including statements from Khabib Nurmagomedov himself, his coach Javier Mendez, and other prominent figures in the MMA world.

Khabib's Retirement and Stance on a Comeback

Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA in October 2020 following his victory over Justin Gaethje, leaving the sport with an undefeated professional record of 29-0.

Since then, he has remained steadfast in his decision to retire, expressing that he is content with his choice and has no regrets.

Despite offers of up to $40 million from UFC president Dana White to return to the octagon for one more fight, Khabib has consistently maintained that he is retired for good.

In a recent statement, Khabib reiterated his commitment to his retirement, emphasizing that he is devoted to spending time with his family and engaging in activities outside of the cage, such as coaching and pursuing business ventures.

Also, he has made it clear that he has turned down offers and has no intentions of making a comeback to professional fighting.

Speculation and Rumors

Speculation about Khabib's potential return to the UFC has intensified in light of recent rumors and audio clips regarding his training activities.

The rumors have led to widespread anticipation and discussions about the possibility of his participation in UFC 300.

Notably, there have been audio clips featuring Khabib's coach, Javier Mendez, discussing his training, which has fueled speculation about a potential comeback.

But Mendez has clarified that there are no plans for Khabib to return to the sport and that his recent training sessions have been focused on cardio rather than preparing for a fight.

Also, Mendez has emphasized that Khabib is committed to spending time with his family and has no intentions of fighting again.

Insights from Prominent Figures

Several prominent figures in the MMA community have shared their insights on the speculated return of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

UFC legend Chael Sonnen expressed skepticism about the reasons for Khabib's potential return, stating that there are no apparent motivations such as financial incentives, attention, or legacy concerns for him to come back to fighting.

Sonnen also presented a hypothetical scenario where Khabib's return could impact the UFC's promotion and create complications for the organization.

On top of that, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has revealed his ambitions to fight twice in 2024, with a potential bout against Justin Gaethje in June and plans for a title defense later in the year.

But there has been no indication of Khabib's involvement in these plans, further reinforcing the notion that his retirement remains unchanged.

All in all

While speculation and rumors have surfaced regarding Khabib Nurmagomedov's potential return to the octagon in 2024, the evidence suggests otherwise.

Khabib has consistently reiterated his retirement and commitment to spending time with his family, engaging in coaching activities, and pursuing other ventures outside of professional fighting.

Statements from his coach and other prominent figures in the MMA community emphasize that there are no plans for Khabib to make a comeback.

Thus, based on the available information and Khabib's own statements, it is highly unlikely that he will fight in 2024. Fans and the MMA community should respect Khabib's decision and appreciate his contributions to the sport during his illustrious career.