UFC president Dana White has accepted Khabib Nurmagomedov's decision to retire as final.
The Russian first announced his retirement after successfully defending his UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje last October 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.
The Dagestani native has continually been linked with a return to UFC since, with a rematch against Conor McGregor heavily touted.
White has done more than most to keep the door open for a potential return, meeting Nurmagomedov on the sidelines of a UAE Warriors event held in Abu Dhabi in January preceding the final run of the Fight Island series in the UAE capital.
White took to social media on Thursday and, after what appears to be another meeting with Nurmagomedov, seemingly accepting that the "Eagle" has “officially retired.”
"29-0 it is. He is officially 100 per cent retired. It was incredible to watch you work @TeamKhabib. Thank you for EVERYTHING and enjoy whatever is next my friend."
Nurmagomedov thanked the UFC in an Instagram post and said “a real conversation between real men” took place between him and White.
"Dana - I’ll never forget your attitude towards me, my father did not forget and my sons will remember you."
Nurmagomedov retires as arguably the greatest athlete in UFC history, with notable victories over McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Gaethje, Rafael dos Anjos, Edson Barboza, and Al Iaquinta, whom he defeated to claim the vacant lightweight title in April 2018 at UFC 223.
He is likely to turn his attention full time to his Eagle Fighting Championship mixed martial art promotion.
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
Blonde
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Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
