Khabib Nurmagomedov punching Michael Johnson (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s disastrous withdrawal from UFC 209, there has been talk that the undefeated fighter could be planning to retire early, but “The Eagle’s” shot down those rumors.

Nurmagomedov ran into medical issues last month, while cutting weight for a March 4th bout with Tony Ferguson, and was pulled from the event. It marked the third time a fight between the lightweights had been cancelled, and was the latest setback for Nurmagomedov, who has battled injuries in recent years.

Not long after the incident, there were reports that Nurmagomedov’s father had told Russia media his son could retire in the not too distant future. But, on the latest “MMA Hour”, the 28 year-old fighter had this to say about all the retirement talk (quote via MMA Fighting):

“Nobody is trying (to get me to retire),” Nurmagomedov said. “I know my father talked about this with Russian media, and U.S. media make, like, different translation. But how I retire if I have to fight for the title? Now, I have very big name, and now, a lot of big fights are coming. How I retire? I no understand, who talk about this?”

Recently the renowned grappler also stated that he hopes to return to the Octagon in September.