Khabib Nurmagomedov has insisted he will not make a UFC return to avenge Islam Makhachev if the Russian is beaten by Charles Oliveira.
Nurmagomedov hasn't fought in almost two years and officially retired from the UFC last year with a flawless record of 29-0. His protege Makhachev will look to win his old belt at UFC 280 on October 20 against Oliveira, who was stripped of the 155lb belt for missing weight before his submission win against Justin Gaethje in May.
Many fans have criticised Nurmagomedov's decision to retire from fighting whilst in the peak of his career, with UFC boss Dana White and former two-weight champion Daniel Cormier are pressing him to make a return. Cormier said despite his best efforts to lure Nurmagomedov's comeback, the Russian will not return to avenge Makhachev if he loses to Oliveira.
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"I think it's done because the last time I was on my show on ESPN and I said maybe if Oliveira beats Islam, Khabib comes back," Cormier said on Talking Brawls. "I go to the gym and he's like, 'Brother, please leave me alone. You guys keep doing this like, brother, leave me alone. I am okay in my life,' so I think it's done my friend."
Cormier understands that many fans wanted to see Nurmagomedov continue his unbeaten reign instead of retiring, but thinks the Russian was smart to retire sooner rather later. "It leaves you with that 'what if?' It leaves you with that 'man I want some more'. You can't always give everybody exactly what they want, if you leave them wanting more then it's better that way," he added.
Oliveira uncharacteristically issued a warning towards Makhachev and his team, insisting their arrogance will be come round to haunt them in the title fight. "They're being arrogant and that's what will kill them," he told MMA Hoje. "The arrogance from their manager, former fighters, their arrogance will kill them. If they think they're going to come here and think this is a joke, I'm going to tell you one thing.
Nurmagomedov was baffled by Oliveira claiming Makhachev's team have been "arrogant" during the fight's build-up, with the UFC legend believing 'Do Bronx' only made the statement as he is feeling the pressure of the upcoming title fight. "I don’t see any kind of arrogance here. I simply think he’s starting to feel the pressure of the fight, No one insulted him, not Ali [Abdelaziz], myself, or Islam," he told reporters.
