Khabib Nurmagomedov expects UFC's lightweight division to be 'on fire' this year – even without him

Unbeaten champion announced retirement in October and despite Dana White's attempts to coax him back, he remains out of contention

UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty

Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty

Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty

Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty

Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty

Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty

Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty

Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty

Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty

US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty

Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty

Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty

US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty

Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty

Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty

American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty

Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty

Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty

Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov appears committed to his decision to retire, with the UFC lightweight champion saying the division will be “on fire” later this year - even without him.

The undefeated Dagestani, 32, called time on his celebrated career in October immediately following his successful title defence against interim-champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.

Nurmagomedov, who with the win took his professional record to 29-0, cited the death of his father in July and a subsequent promise he made to his mother as reason not to continue.

However, UFC president Dana White has attempted to coax Nurmagomedov back for one more bout, with the pair meeting during last month's Fight Island in the UAE capital. As of yet, though, Nurmagomedov seems to be intent on staying retired, and says he has no issue vacating his lightweight crown.

In a recent interview with Russia’s Match TV, as translated by RT Sport, Nurmagomedov said: “I’m focused on my own big projects, four or five of them. I have to spend time on them.

“As for my career as a fighter, I don’t want to go into details. Dana’s an honest person; we always had an honest relationship. I think he’ll let the media know the message that I sent him a week ago. It’s not a secret, I just told him how I’d like things to develop, not only related to me, but the lightweight division in general.

“I told [Dana] I don’t want the division to be held up. But on the other hand, fighters have only just been in action and people already understand in general who we’ll see fighting for the title.”

Two major bouts in the division took place at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, with Dustin Poirier defeating Conor McGregor by second-round TKO at Etihad Arena and debutant Michael Chandler seeing off Dan Hooker in the first round.

The UFC looks keen to book a trilogy fight between Poirier and McGregor – the Irishman triumphed in their 2014 clash – although as of yet nothing has been confirmed.

“I know they’re already making plans, I think for around May or June for a title fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “But between who? Dana told me he isn’t done yet. I can say that.

"When I told him the lightweight division needs to move on, he told me he isn’t done. He said to me, ‘When you fly to Vegas at the end of February, we’ll sit down and talk’. Dana needs to make some kind of decision. But whatever the decision, I’ll agree with it.”

That said, Nurmagomedov believes the UFC should anoint Poirier his successor. The American, who has put together a two-fight win streak against impressive opponents since losing to the Russian in 2019, now sits as the division’s No 1-ranked challenger.

“Poirier deserves to be champion, that’s my personal opinion,” Nurmagomedov said. “Look at who he’s fought: Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Max Holloway. He’s fought me, Conor. These are all top fighters, maybe fighters who will end up in the UFC Hall of Fame.

“I think intrigue will appear in the lightweight division as soon as they decide the title fight and eliminator. At the moment, it’s held up and not clear what Dana’s thinking.

“I think it’s going to be on fire in the lightweight division this summer. The lightweight division has always been the most competitive, the most interesting, with big stars. It will take new turns this summer… a new, younger, generation is already coming, plus there’s Chandler, [Charles] Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, a lot of good fighters.

"With that mix, it will be interesting this summer and towards the end of the year.”