Odds for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Next Fight After Announcing Retirement

• Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title at UFC 254
• Following his win, he announced his retirement from MMA
• If he comes out of retirement, who would he fight? See below

All the talk entering UFC 254 was it would be one of the last Khabib Nurmagomedov fights. Well, it ended up being the final time.

In the main event of the card, Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title for the third time with a second-round submission over Justin Gaethje. The victory improved his record to 29-0 and after the fight, the Dagestani champion announced his retirement from the sport. Throughout his career, all the talk was he would retire at 30-0. However, after his father, Abdulmanap, who also serves as his coach passed away earlier this year, many wondered if the champ would hang up his gloves.

So, despite Nurmagomedov announcing his retirement, odds opened on who he will fight next if he does choose to return.

Odds on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Next Opponent

*All odds taken Oct. 24

Is Khabib’s Retirement Permanent?

Most mixed martial arts retirements do not last. Look at Conor McGregor’s countless retirements, Alexander Gustafsson,and Stefan Struve’s retirements among countless others. However, Nurmagomedov’s feels and is much different.

A legacy like no other! Thank you @TeamKhabib #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/GGqpGjJluR

— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020

First off, I’ve talked to coaches and teammates of Nurmagomedov’s and they all told me this was a difficult training camp for the Dagestani champion as it was the first without his father. He and his dad were super close and when he passed away some of his teammates like Daniel Cormier thought he may never fight again. Ultimately, he decided to commit to this Justin Gaethje fight and admitted post-fight he can’t continue fighting without his father.

"Today is my last fight here in UFC." #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/sq6R9LxN1i

— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020

Nurmagomedov is also a man of his word and he told his mom he would not continue his fighting career now that his dad has passed away. So, I truly believe this is the last time we saw arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all-time.

If He Returns Who Would He Fight?

If Nurmagomedov does return, I think it will only be for one fight and that is the Georges St-Pierre superfight.

For over a year now, Nurmagomedov and St-Pierre have hinted at fighting one another. However, the UFC did not want to book the fight just in case St-Pierre won the fight and retired with another belt as he did at middleweight. With “The Eagle” retiring and likely vacating the belt, it could finally set up a superfight with GSP in the next year or so at a catchweight bout.

This one was for Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZZdywrlE5e

— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020

Nurmagomedov is now comfortably retired and I do not see him coming out of retirement for at least another year and likely never again. However, if he does, I think it will be against Georges St-Pierre.