UFC 300 could have featured shock return of Khabib as promotion ‘connected’ with manager over huge Dana White card
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV has claimed the UFC brass made contact with his manager about a blockbuster spring return to the octagon.
MMA fans around the world were convinced the promotion would bring back a legend of the sport for their historic UFC 300 card next month.
Former champions Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey and Georges St-Pierre were all touted with returns for the huge pay-per-view.
Nurmagomedov himself was linked with a sensational comeback, which could have come to fruition after the UFC brass reached out to his manager Ali Abdelaziz.
The retired Russian told MMA Junkie: “I know they connected with Ali.
“But I told Ali, last, maybe one year (ago), I said, ‘It doesn’t matter who calls you, but never call me about a fight.”
“We have a deal: Directly with me, nobody connects. But I know with Ali, he connected with some people from UFC.”
Former lightweight champion Nurmagomedov retired from the sport in October 2020 following a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
The undefeated Dagestani destroyer hung up his gloves three months after the passing of his father and head coach Abdulmanap.
Nurmagomedov promised his mother he’d never compete again without his father by his side, a vow he plans to honour.
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He said: “But I told (everyone) already once, and I told a lot of times for all these people that try to bring me back.
“I decided this in October 2020. It was my last fight, and I will never change this.”
UFC president and CEO Dana White has tried multiple times to lure Nurmagomedov back to cage since his retirement.
But he’s received the same answer after each and every bid.
He told Jim Rome in September 2022: “I just reached out to him recently to see if he’s interested in something.
“And he’s like, ‘I’m retired, brother. I’m done.’ I don’t think Khabib ever comes back.’
“It was something different, I was trying to get him to do a grappling match.
“He’s like: ‘I’m done, I’m retired.’
“I think that when his father passed away, that was a wrap for him, and he’s just focused on training other guys and helping them become world champions.”
UFC 300 takes place in Las Vegas on April 13 and is headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between champ Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill.
