Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals UFC reached out to his manager about potential return at UFC 300

The UFC reportedly was interested in having Khabib Nurmagomedov return at UFC 300.

UFC CEO Dana White had promised to make UFC 300 a historic card, and many fans wondered if the promotion would get someone back like they did for Brock Lesnar at UFC 200. Ultimately, that didn’t happen, but former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed the promotion did reach out to his manager but he quickly shot it down as he confirmed he won’t fight again.

“Honestly, no. I know they connected with Ali, but I told Ali last maybe one year, 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. 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,” Nurmagomedov said to MMAJunkie at UFC 300.

Although Nurmagomedov turned it down, it wasn’t a surprise to see the UFC reach out as Dana White has tried to get ‘The Eagle’ back before. But, Nurmagomedov has made it clear he won’t fight again as he retired following the death of his dad. It’s also uncertain who Nurmagomedov would have fought at UFC 300.

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect 29-0 as he submitted Justin Gaethje to defend his lightweight title for the third time. Nurmagomedov won the vacant belt by defeating Al Iaquinta by decision and then beat Conor McGregor by submission and Dustin Poirier by submission. He also holds notable wins over Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, and Michael Johnson.

With the UFC not getting Khabib Nurmagomedov, the promotion booked Alex Pereira to defend his light heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300.