Khabib Nurmagomedov hints at UFC retirement and will release statement on future soon after vowing to ‘smash some guys’
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV revealed he will release a statement on his fighting future soon - having already discussed retirement this year.
The 31-year-old Russian has been vocal about walking away from the sport at the right time.
A month before he was set to face 36-year-old Tony Ferguson in April, Nurmagomedov said: “I have to smash a couple of more guys. This is what I think.
“I know when someone stays on top for a long time people just want to see how they fall down. It’s very interesting. How are you gonna fall down, how are you gonna crash?
“But about my retirement, I don’t know because I am only 31 years old. Right now is my prime time.
"What’s interesting is in every fight I become better. Even after my last fight, after three or four months I watch it and I think, ‘Whoa, I make mistakes here. My ground game, my striking game'.
“Even three or four months after the fight I keep looking and working, too.
"I’m young for this sport and I think right now is my prime time so I don’t think it is good to think about retirement.”
But Nurmagomedov was unable to fight Ferguson following travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Justin Gaethje, 33, would instead fill in and win the interim lightweight title, setting up a unification bout with unbeaten Khabib, set for September.
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Following his cancelled headliner, Nurmagomedov continued to train despite his father Abdulmanap falling ill from the virus.
And the lightweight king has vowed to update fans on his next fight soon.
Taking to Instagram, Nurmagomedov wrote: “About my future, I will soon make a statement.”