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Andrew McNicol

Confirmation of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s “official” retirement has shaken up the former UFC lightweight champion’s division, with several contenders already weighing in.
The undefeated Russian (29-0) met UFC president Dana White last week before the pair confirmed they had respectfully parted ways, with Nurmagomedov’s vacated belt to be contested between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira.
Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson, whose five previous scheduled bouts with “The Eagle” all fell through for various reasons, left a message for his long-time foe under White’s congratulatory Instagram post.
“Be good fathead. See you again,” former interim champion Ferguson (26-5) said.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Dana White (@danawhite)



Former featherweight champion Max Holloway also made sure to commemorate one of the pound for pound MMA greats.
“Congratulations @TeamKhabib Peace be with you brother. I want to visit Dagestan someday soon,” he tweeted.

Congratulations @TeamKhabib Peace be with you brother. I want to visit Dagestan someday soon. https://t.co/mKHJEnWCZS
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) March 19, 2021

Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz shared a photo of himself next to his client and White after their meeting. The Dominance MMA CEO gave insight into the pair’s relationship.
“Congratulations to my brother Khabib on an amazing career. You have inspired billions of people around the world and you have changed so many lives,” Abdelaziz said. “I want to thank The Godfather of MMA and big brother Dana White – without you, none of this would be possible.
“This is the best I have seen between Khabib and Dana. I have never seen a relationship like this between a fighter and promoter. They never argued, they never fought, and never complained about each other. Nothing but pure class between the both of them.
UFC: Volkanovski says his haters ‘have got to get over it’
“I am a little sad that my brother is leaving the sport, but the Eagle will always [soar] in the sky. The greatest fighter on the planet – the legacy will continue. Last but not least I want to thank UFC matchmakers Joe Silva and Sean Shelby for believing in him.”
Middleweight contender and last year’s fighter of the year nominee, Kevin Holland, kept it simple, posting “Only one [Eagle emoji]” to recognise Nurmagomedov’s stellar career.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Michael Chandler (@mikechandlermma)



Featherweight Lando Vannata added: “Killed it. Amazing career [emoji].”
Fellow Dagestani lightweight Islam Makhachev, who Nurmagomedov cornered in his last fight and announced he would continue to do so in future, reposted the retirement photo.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Islam_Makhachev (@islam_makhachev)



He had previously thanked Nurmagomedov and his late father and coach, Abdulmanap, for their help in his ascent in the UFC.


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Tony Ferguson tells ‘fathead’ Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘see you again’ after champ officially retires

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former interim champion Tony Ferguson at the UFC 249 press conference in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in March of 2020. Photo: Zuffa LLC

UFC: Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘officially’ retires, says ‘I hope you’ll accept my decision and understand’

Khabib Nurmagomedov (centre) poses with Dana White (left) and his manager Ali Abdelaziz at dinner in Las Vegas.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC: Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts door on Georges St-Pierre fight – ‘he’s 40 years old, let’s just leave it’

A photo combination of Georges St-Pierre (left) and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Photo: Instagram/@khabib_nurmagomedov

UFC: Dana White ‘not buying’ Khabib Nurmagomedov retirement talk – ‘I can see it in his face’

UFC president Dana White speaks with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during a press conference for UFC 229. Photo: AFP

UFC: Nate Diaz rips Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, laughs at state of lightweight division

Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are separated by UFC president Dana White during a UFC 202 press conference in Las Vegas in 2016. Photo: AP

Nate Diaz, right, fights Jorge Masvidal during the first round of a welterweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 244 early Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in New York. Masvidal stopped Diaz in the fourth round. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

UFC: Dana White says Georges St-Pierre ‘never came up’ in Khabib comeback talks, shuts down Max Holloway

UFC president Dana White speaks with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during a press conference for UFC 229. Photo: AFP

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


UFC stars comment as ‘The Eagle’ vacates lightweight belt and confirms retirement
Khabib and UFC president White ‘never argued, fought, and complained’ with each other, says manager Ali Abdelaziz



Tony Ferguson, Max Holloway and Kevin Holland among UFC stars to comment as Khabib Nurmagomedov announces ‘official’ retirement.


Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov