Khabib Nurmagomedov meets Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and 'looks forward to launching new projects in Abu Dhabi soon'

The Russian announced his retirement from MMA following his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in the capital

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  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

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  Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty

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

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  Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty

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  Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty

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  Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty

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  Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty

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

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  Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty

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  Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty

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  Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty

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  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

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  Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty

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  Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty

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

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  Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty

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  Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty

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

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  Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty

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  Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty

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

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  Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty

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  Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

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  Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

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

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  Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty

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

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  Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty

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

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  Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov has described his pleasure in meeting Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the National Security Adviser, as the retired UFC lightweight champion says he looks forward now to launching new initiatives in Abu Dhabi.

Nurmagomedov, 32, announced he was stepping away from the sport on Sunday, immediately following his victory in the unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in the capital. The Dagestan native prevailed in the second round to therefore retire undefeated, with a 29-0 professional record.

On Tuesday, Nurmagomedov posted a picture on Instagram alongside Sheikh Tahnoon, who has been integral to the growth of mixed martial arts in the UAE and the region.

In the post, Nurmagomedov said: "It was my pleasure to meet @tbzayed. Thank you so much for [the] invitation. Looking forward to launch our new projects in Abu Dhabi soon InshaAllah. @visitabudhabi"

Earlier this week, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office, met with UFC president Dana White to discuss the success “Return to Fight Island”, the five-event series that concluded with UFC 254. It marked the UFC’s second residency in the capital, with both taking place in the past three months.