Khabib Nurmagomedov Hints At Permanent Retirement By Buying Local MMA Promotion

Many feel that it will not be too long before Khabib Nurmagomedov comes out of his retirement, but his reported purchase of Gorilla Fighting Championship hints otherwise.

After the death of his father earlier this year, “The Eagle” announced that his lightweight title unification bout against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 would be his last, giving in to the wishes of his mother to stop fighting.

The $1 million investment in the MMA promotion could be Nurmagomedov’s way of staying in the combat sports circle. It operates out of Dagestan and hosted an event last Oct. 14.

With the purchase, the promotion will be renamed to Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC) according to Russian journalist Azamat Bostanov.

“The organization will change the format–tournaments will be held not only in Russia and the CIS countries, but also in the Arab world, as well as, possibly, in the USA. The deal will be officially announced on December 2 at a press conference by Khabib Nurmagomedov,” the statement read after translation from its original Russian language.

The development becomes a big blow to fans who were hoping to see Nurmagomedov back in the cage. Though he shocked the world with his sudden decision to call it a career, UFC president Dana White felt otherwise.

White still believes that Nurmagomedov will return at some point since the Russian has unfinished business.

In a previous post, White explained how Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov wanted his son Khabib to go 30-0. He is one fight away from reaching that goal following his triumph over Gaethje.

A flicker of hope popped up recently when word got out that Nurmagomedov was set to meet White. Most assumed that it was a meeting to discuss the fighter's future.

But by investing in the local mixed martial art circuit back home, it appears there is a different agenda between Nurmagomedov and White. This could be a potential broadcast deal for EFC rather than returning to fight inside the Octagon.