On Saturday, October 24th, undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov shocked the sports’ world by announcing his retirement following an impressive win over the interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje.
Nurmagomedov surprised fans and pundits by defeating Gaethje in the 2nd round when many had predicted that it would go at least until the 3rd round. In fact, Khabib pulled out the submission win after Gaethje had a strong first round where two judges said he won.
Nurmagomedov made the following comments following his victory:
“Today, I want to say this was my last fight. It was my father’s dream. What else?” Khabib would also further clarify that he told his mother that it would be his last fight: “I promised her this was gonna be my last fight. If I give my word, I have to follow this.”
Despite his retirement announcement, UFC betting sites have released two prop bets including odds on who Khabib’s next opponent would be if he decides to fight one more time and if he will fight again before the end of 2021. Both props are courtesy of BetOnline.
Undefeated. Undisputed.
Listen to the lightweight king speak one last time at #UFC254
[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/ToSwWymNL1
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2020
Would Nurmagomedov Come Out of Retirement?
The first Nurmagomedov prop bet asks the question of whether or not Khabib will fight again before the end of 2021:
- Yes (+300)
- No (-500)
As of now, most of Khabib’s camp says that he’s a man who will stick with his retirement. Once he gives his word, it’s a guarantee.
Well, there’s always a first time for everything. And, when it comes to retirements in combat sports (MMA and boxing), we’ve learned over the years that they don’t mean much.
Look at Khabib’s biggest rival Conor McGregor. He seems to retire on an annual basis. In boxing, we’ve had world champs retire and come back the next year. From Sugar Ray Leonard all the way to Floyd Mayweather Jr., retirements have become par for the course.
I just don’t see Nurmagomedov retiring right now. I think he could be coaxed out of retirement to take one more fight, most likely GSP. Khabib has talked about wanting to go 30-0 and then retire. He currently sits at a record of 29-0.
As for this prop bet, I say take the “yes” option at this point in time. It offers a nice payout of three-to-one.
Nurmagomedov Ends Retirement –Yes (+300)
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Next Opponent
The second prop bet from BetOnline asks who Nurmagomedov’s next opponent would be, if he’s truly not done fighting:
- Georges St-Pierre (+150)
- Conor McGregor (+300)
- Kamaru Usman (+500)
- Michael Chandler (+600)
- Tony Ferguson (+600)
- Jorge Masvidal (+1000)
- Floyd Mayweather (+1400)
- Manny Pacquiao (+2000)
Nurmagomedov has made it perfectly clear that he won’t fight McGregor again. The real life feud between these two men is irreparable and Nurmagomedov will never give McGregor the chance to avenge his loss.
Furthermore, Chandler, Ferguson and Masvidal make no sense at all. Nurmagomedov would only want to fight for his legacy and none of those bouts improve his overall legacy.
Congratulations to @Teamkhabib for his amazing performance last night and a career as perfect as you can get as an athlete! pic.twitter.com/2zwVgCMlRX
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) October 25, 2020
A bout against Usman would give him the chance at winning a second world title, which would boost his legacy. However, Nurmagomedov has never expressed a desire to go up in weight especially against a bigger fighter.
The only opponent Nurmagomedov would fight inside the octagon is Georges St-Pierre. These two men have been publicly dancing around the possibility of this bout for the last year. But, for one reason or another, it has not come to fruition.
Even UFC President Dana White has given the green light on this fight especially since Nurmagomedov wants to retire and GSP is already retired.
Who Will Khabib Fight Next?
Call me crazy, but I see Khabib’s next opponent being Floyd Mayweather Jr. inside the boxing ring. These two athletes have talked about competing in a boxing match for the last two years. I see Floyd using Khabib’s unbeaten record as a selling point for this potential crossover fight.
Plus, we all know that Mayweather only takes fights where he has the clear advantage. Nurmagomedov is not known for being a striker. Rather, he’s a grappler that mauls his opponents. I can see Nurmagomedov trying to tie up with Mayweather for 10 rounds, but Floyd will dance away from contact.
This fight would draw interest from the diehard Mayweather fans and Nurmagomedov’s fellow countrymen. But, it really won’t be competitive.
As for Manny Pacquiao, his team wants a fight against Conor McGregor. Pacquiao’s striking would be too much for Nurmagomedov, and McGregor, to handle. At least against Floyd and his defensive style, Nurmagomedov has a better chance of lasting longer.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Next Fight –Mayweather Jr. (+1400)
Is Khabib Nurmagomedov the GOAT?
Following his retirement announcement, many of the UFC’s top stars took to social media to congratulate Nurmagomedov.
Daniel Cormier, who many consider to be one of the Top UFC fighters of all-time, said that Nurmagomedov was the greatest champion in UFC history. Gastelum, Garbrandt, and others all say that Khabib is the GOAT.
Many other fighters say that Nurmagomedov is now the #1 pound for pound fighter as he takes that spot away from Jon Jones who says he will let Khabib have it for now. UFC President Dana White also thinks he’s the #1 P4P fighter in the world and the GOAT:
“He’s the toughest human being on the planet. He’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He is the baddest motherf—er on the planet.”
In a separate Tweet, Dana White said that Nurmagomedov was the P4P best and the GOAT of the sport.
Speaking of Jon Jones, he’s taken to social media to defend his resume and his spot as the GOAT. Some of Jones comments included:
“People want me to stay quiet and let him have his moment while I just sit back and watch my hard work get moved down the rankings. It’s not fair to my family, or the team of people who have sacrificed to get me this far. Not salty at all, I really do respect Khabib, I honor the type of man he is. But being the best is earned not given. Unfortunately four title fights ain’t it, no matter how much we all like [him].”
Congrats on your amazing career @khabib_nurmagomedov you will truly be missed. I know your dad is proud of the amazing son he has raised. This year has been a year of the greatest combat Sports athletes of all time retiring in front of the world. #wrestlingislife 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/5BzCLc3iOG
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 25, 2020
I don’t often agree with Jon Jones the man. His issues outside of the octagon have been well documented and highly publicized. But, I do agree with Jon Jones the fighter.
As far as I’m concerned, and with most pundits as well, Jones is undefeated. His lone blemish was a highly controversial disqualification due to an illegal strike. That’s not a defeat, that’s a DQ and there is a difference.
The biggest evidence in Jones’ favor is the fact that he has had 15 world title fights compared to Nurmagomedov with four. When you look at those numbers, there really isn’t a comparison.
Like Jones pointed out, he’s spent over half of his pro career in title fights. Nurmagomedov has just four of his 29 pro bouts contested for a world title. In fact, it’s been almost 10 years since Jones last fought in a non-title bout, whereas it’s only been 2 ½ years that Khabib has competed in title fights.
Yes, he’s looked great against McGregor, Gaethje and Poirier. But, none of those three men will go down as an all-time great. Jones beat Daniel Cormier twice and beat legendary fighters like Vitor Belfort, Quinton Jackson, and Mauricio Rua. He also beat Ryan Bader who was a “champ champ” in Bellator.
One of the criticisms against Jones is that Khabib has dominated his opponents in title fights and often finished them off. But, these critics overlook the fact that Nurmagomedov beat Iaquinta for the title via unanimous decision.
Both men have 10 decision victories in their careers. Jones completely wiped out his division two times over. In fact, he decided to relinquish the title to go up to heavyweight.
Nurmagomedov still had Tony Ferguson to fight and one could even make an argument for Michael Chandler. In fact, Bellator lightweight champ Patricio Freire is definitely worthy of a shot at Nurmagomedov. Bellator’s light heavyweight champ was Ryan Bader who Jones already beat.
There is no argument for Jones and anyone in the light heavyweight division. He has defeated every top contender for nearly a decade. Nearly half of his title fights have ended via stoppage.
Furthermore, he’s really only had two close contests in his career. In other words, nobody has dominated a division like Jones has.
Nurmagomedov is the greatest lightweight of all-time. He’s also a candidate for the Top 5 GOAT list along with Jones, DC, GSP and Nunes. With that said, Jon Jones is the GOAT until he loses.
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
