It’s not the money’s fault. Didn’t UFC let Khabib aim for Conor’s achievement?
Sergey Sorokin July 18, 2024, 11:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Sonnen is sure Oryol could have had another fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career will forever go down in UFC history. The undefeated Russian fighter completed his professional career with a 29-0 record. And many fans were sure that Orel would still have another fight, but this did not happen. Khabib fought his last fight in 2020 at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje by choke and announced his retirement. The Russian referred to the fact that he made a promise to his mother. But for a long time it seemed that the Eagle would enter the cage at least once more.
For the sake of a friend, the legendary champion temporarily abandoned his favorite business:
“Khabib overshadows everyone around him.” Only Orel’s departure allowed Makhachev to become a star.
Unfortunately, we never saw Khabib in the octagon again. Perhaps the last hope was the historic UFC 300 tournament. Fans theorized that the organization would literally shower the Russian with money and this would force him to return. And the promotion itself indirectly confirmed the rumors about the ongoing negotiations. But, apparently, it was not possible to reach an agreement with Orel. Nurmagomedov returned as a coach, taking a place in the corner of Islam Makhachev and other members of the team. However, the Russian is no longer going to fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
They also tried to link Khabib’s departure with money. It seemed that Eagle was uncomfortable with Conor’s influence and his fees. Therefore, Nurmagomedov showed that he was not going to tolerate such a situation. But now the former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen, who now works as an analyst, explained the decision of the legendary champion in a completely different way. He expressed confidence that Khabib was never interested in money. And it would be strange if they became the stumbling block between the fighter and the organization. Therefore, according to Chale, the problem was completely different.
Chael Sonnen
Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight contender
“I have always maintained that when negotiations were underway with Khabib and they were trying to offer new figures [гонорара]they changed the wrong number. Same reason the 30-0 streak stayed at 29-0. Those weren’t commas or zeros on the check. It was a weight class.”
Sonnen expressed confidence that the organization did not even try to arrange a fight for Khabib in another weight class. And for Orel himself this was very important. Nurmagomedov could become a two-time champion, just like Conor. And they said that it is becoming more and more difficult for the champion to lose weight. That is why Nurmagomedov failed to come to an understanding with the management: “If they had tried again with Khabib, they would have sat him down at the negotiating table, they would have really agreed and set the weight at 170 pounds. [полусредняя категория]You would have seen Khabib fight, or at least you would have had a much better chance to do so.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images
Of course, it will be quite difficult to find reliable confirmation of these words now. A lot of time has passed and the main protagonists of the negotiations are unlikely to lift the veil of secrecy. But the fact is that we never saw the Eagle in the cage again. And now, apparently, history risks repeating itself. Islam Makhachev has long expressed his desire to try his hand at a new weight class. However, for now the organization only gives him fights in the lightweight division and forces him to defend the belt. And Islam intends to aim for a second title, so gradually discontent may continue to grow.
The promotion is preparing interesting tournaments for the end of the year:
The UFC promises dream fights. But half of them are at risk.
If the reason for Khabib’s final exit was indeed a controversy over the weight class, then the bosses of the organization should think about it. They risk losing another top-level fighter, who is still being marinated in the lightweight division. And it is quite possible that Islam decides to make the same move that the Eagle once did.
