Javier Mendez, once the head coach guiding Khabib Nurmagomedov during his peak years in the lightweight division, addressed rumors about a possible return to the octagon under the banner of his former protégé. He echoed a phrase attributed to Nurmagomedov, noting that the fighter “takes care of the family” as a guiding principle. This update was reported by TASS.
A few days earlier, Nurmagomedov himself had teased a potential comeback on his social media channels, stirring speculation about a summer return to competitive action.
Over his MMA career, Nurmagomedov competed in 29 bouts and never tasted defeat. His final fight came against American challenger Justin Gaethje, which he won in the autumn of 2020. Immediately after, he announced his retirement, explaining to his mother that he would not fight without his father’s blessing. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, his father and longtime coach, passed away in 2020 due to complications related to the coronavirus.
Following retirement, Nurmagomedov launched Eagle FC, an MMA promotion that held its inaugural U.S. event on January 28, 2022, signaling his continued influence in the sport beyond active competition.
In 2021, a Public Opinion Foundation poll named Nurmagomedov the sports person of the year, underscoring his impact and popularity in the broader athletic landscape. Then, in March 2022, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy in mixed martial arts history.
There have been discussions suggesting that Nurmagomedov might consider integrating football into his long-term pursuits, a possibility some observers link to his broader athletic vision and leadership ethos.