Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, met with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during the latter’s recent stay in the emirate.
On Saturday, Nurmagomedov posted a picture on his Instagram account alongside the crown prince, together with the caption: “It was good to see you after training my friend”.
Nurmagomedov, 32, announced his retirement from the UFC in October, immediately following his successful title defence against then-interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.
Although a return to the octagon has since been teased, the undefeated Dagestani appears committed to his decision. Nurmagomedov, whose professional record stands at 29-0, has been acting as trainer and coach to a number of his teammates, including cousin Umar Nurmagomedov, who won on UFC debut last month. That bout also took place in Abu Dhabi, during a third Fight Island series in the capital.
Nurmagomedov is a regular visitor to the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai, with the facility serving most recently as his training base in the build-up to the unification bout with Gaethje.
Earlier this month, Nurmagomedov attended the Uefa Champions League match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and left the Camp Nou with a signed shirt from hat-trick scorer Kylian Mbappe.
Khabib's last defence in Abu Dhabi
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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 -
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
