Discover the truth behind the rumors of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s return to the UFC at event 300. Read insights from his coach Javier Mendez, clarifying Khabib’s stance on retirement and future plans.
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- Javier Mendez, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, has officially dismissed rumors of Khabib’s return to fighting at UFC 300.
- Mendez clarifies that despite training, Khabib remains retired and is not preparing for any UFC comeback.
- Khabib continues to focus on his family, reaffirming his decision to stay retired from professional MMA fighting.
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The Truth Behind UFC 300 Rumors: What Really Happened?
As the UFC 300 event approaches, the MMA world was abuzz with speculation about a potential return of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion. Nurmagomedov, renowned for his undefeated record, retired from the sport following his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020. Despite his retirement, rumors and speculation about his possible return have been a recurring theme in the MMA community.
The Rumor Ignites
The latest round of rumors began with a video featuring Javier Mendez, Nurmagomedov’s coach at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). Mendez, known for his close relationship with the former lightweight champ, was seen in the video suggesting that Nurmagomedov only trains with him when he is gearing up for a fight. As Mendez stated, “The Eagle” was currently training with him, which led many to speculate about Nurmagomedov’s return to the octagon, possibly at the much-anticipated UFC 300.
Mendez Clarifies: Setting the Record Straight
However, Mendez quickly responded to the growing rumors, decisively shutting down any talks of Nurmagomedov’s return to competitive fighting.
In a video shared by Helen Yee, Mendez addressed the speculations head-on, stating, “I’m just letting you guys know that, you know, stop all this nonsense [on the internet] regarding Khabib [coming back to the UFC] and me and him training. There’s been no such thing happening. We’re not discussing training. We never have. Khabib is still devoted to what he said [about not fighting again]. He’s devoted his time to his family. He’s not working people’s corners. He’s not gonna ever fight. To my knowledge, it has never been spoken about.”
🚨 BREAKING: Exclusive from Coach Javier Mendez, Khabib will NOT be fighting at #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/eINqXC3rZn
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) January 13, 2024
Ultimately, despite the flurry of rumors and the MMA community’s anticipation, it appears that Khabib Nurmagomedov remains committed to his retirement decision. His focus continues to be on his family and personal life, far removed from the competitive realm of the UFC. As we approach UFC 300, it’s clear that any hopes of seeing “The Eagle” soar once more in the UFC octagon are, as of now, just rumors without substance.