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 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
Updated: February 27, 2021, 7:36 AM