Modern-day UFC fans quickly point out Khabib Nurmagomedov’s perfect record (29-0) and sheer dominance in the UFC lightweight division.
After Khabib took down Justin Gaethje in UFC 254, he abruptly announced his retirement from professional fighting. In a heartfelt speech after the fight, he thanked his team and said he could not return to fighting without his dad, who passed away in July 2020.
Despite what he said, there is a plausible reason to believe that this is not the end for Khabib. For one, UFC president Dana White said that he has talked to Khabib and believes that he will come back and try for a perfect 30-0 record. Dana has been able to coach several fighters out of retirement, most notably Conor McGregor, who has retired three times and returned each time except for the ladder.
While Khabib did sound since in his retirement announcement, it is also plausible that he would return to the ring for an exhibition fight. In August of 2017, Conor McGregor stepped out of retirement to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr in an exhibition fight that grossed both fighters over $100 million.
18+ online sportsbooks currently have odds for what will likely be Khabib’s next fight if he does decide to step out of retirement.
UFC Odds
- Georges St. Pierre +225*
- Khabib Nurmagomedov -265*
*Odds available at BetOnline
In addition to future odds, you will also find match odds for betting on the UFC, and other MMA fights online. To sweeten the deal and buy into the rumors, most online sportsbooks offer future fight odds for everything from celebrity boxing to popular exhibition matchups, including the upcoming Tyson vs. Jones Jr. exhibition fight. Below is an example of future odds found for UFC/Boxing crossovers.
Boxing Odds:
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. -1200
- Khabib Nurmagomedov +700
(Must FIght in 2020 For Action)
While it is not likely to see Khabib return for an exhibition boxing matchup, it is likely to think that enough money could sway him away from retirement.
Recently Khabib made headlines for passing his post-retirement drug test, which could be opted-out if he doesn’t want to leave the window open to return to fighting.
It is hard to believe that someone who could be the best lightweight fighter ever to live could just walk away from the sport without facing defeat, but Khabib is of a different breed. While it is known that he dearly loved his father, who was also his trainer, it is hard to believe that his dad would want anything else but to see his son succeed.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died from COVID-19 complications on July 3rd, 2020.
