Shortly after UFC 254, UFC President Dana White talked to the media during the post-fight press conference. White answered some questions about Khabib Nurmagomedov and his future with the UFC.
When asked if he had a chance to speak to Nurmagomedov, White responded pretty clearly.
“No. He was in the octagon, we were all just standing around listening and you know, I can tell it almost felt like an upset tonight. The way that he reacted at the weight-ins, the way he acted when he was walking out tonight, he didn’t look like himself, breathing heavy… but wow.”
White was then asked if he had any information about Khabib’s future after he announced his retirement.
“With what this guy went through, we’re all lucky that we got to see him fight tonight. And I’m earing rumors of over things that you guys will hear about later… apparently he was in the hospital, he borke his foot thre weeks ago. So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that’s broken of something like that.
That’s what his corner was telling me. He never told anybody, he was walking around and he’s just one of the thoughest human beings on the planet, he’s the number one pound for pound fighter in the world. And you seriously have to start put him up there in GOAT status with whoever else you think is the GOAT.”
White also mentioned that he intended to let Nurmagomedov heel emotionally from his father’s passing before talking to him about his decision.
At 29-0 Nurmagomedov sits comfortably at the table of the greatest fighters of all time and he leaves a legacy that is unmatched in the lightweight division. No one knows if his decision to retire will be definitive or if he was affected by his emotions but nevertheless, he will forever be one of the most dominant fighters in the history of combat sports.
