According to veteran MMA fighter Chael Sonnen, Khabib Nurmagomedov could make a surprise return to the UFC.
The 35-year-old hasn’t fought inside the Octagon in more than three years, having announced his retirement after defeating Justin Gaethje.
He remarked that he felt he could no longer fight after his father died.
Khabib, the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion in history, transitioned from MMA to training and marketing.
In November, the Russian told fellow UFC legend Daniel Cormier that he had rejected down offers from Dana White of up to $40 million to return to the Octagon for one more bout, and added, “If I decide [on retirement], I decide, it’s finished. I leave this alone.
“I’m happy and I never regret my decision, never.”
However, another retired MMA fighter, Chael Sonnen, has speculated on his YouTube channel that Khabib may make a comeback.
He explained: “Coach Javier Mendez, owner and leader of the American Kickboxing Academy, came out in an interview and said that Khabib is back training with me.
“He said, ‘Khabib always goes to practice, but he only trains with me when he’s getting ready for a fight’. That is all I know.”
You can watch the interview below.
Sonnen may be alluding to an interview that has been making the rounds on social media lately, in which it is said that Khabib is undergoing training.
The video is undated, so it’s unclear if it’s a reference to the Russian fighter’s upcoming comeback or if he’s prepping for something else entirely.
Sonnen also mentioned that Khabib might face Leon Edwards again after the British fighter defeated Colby Covington at UFC 296 to retain his Welterweight Championship.
He added: “There is some reason that Leon versus Belal [Muhammad] did not get made.
“It was expected and it was planned. Something became available.
“This is nothing more than a rumor, but it’s a rumor that came from coach Mendez, who’s training him. Who says, ‘I don’t train him unless it’s for a fight’. It’s fascinating.
“There is a reason. Khabib is not fighting at 155 pounds ever again and Dana [White]’s not putting on UFC 300 without a title on top of the bill.”
UFC 300 will take place on April 13 – shortly after the ending of Ramadan.
Given that Khabib has previously stated that fighting during the holy month is “extremely dangerous,” it seems unlikely that he will return to take on Edwards.
However, until the announcement is made, we won’t know anything formal about Edwards’ championship match.
But in the midst of the social media frenzy, Mendez sent a mysterious statement on Instagram that seemed to indicate Khabib would stay out of the Octagon.
He posted a photo of Khabib wearing the belt, “Fathers Plan = Loyalty #AlwaysAndForeverRemembered”.
