Despite maintaining a rigorous training schedule that would put active competitors to shame, Khabib Nurmagomedov has no plans to return to any form of competition, according to his longtime teammate and friend Zubaira Tukhugov.
The undefeated former UFC lightweight champion continues to train with the intensity of someone preparing for an imminent bout, but those close to him understand that his competitive days are behind him.
“He still trains every single day, twice a day. He trains incredibly hard, almost like he’s preparing for a match,” Tukhugov revealed in an interview ahead of his own grappling match at ACBJJ in Moscow this weekend.
Tukhugov, who will face former UFC opponent Elves Brener in a no-gi grappling match on Sunday, explained that Nurmagomedov has been actively discouraging him from continuing his own competitive career.
When asked about his teammate’s reaction to his grappling return, Tukhugov said Nurmagomedov questioned the decision entirely, suggesting he should step away from competition and simply train for personal satisfaction.
The dedication Nurmagomedov brings to his daily sessions remains unwavering regardless of his location or schedule. According to Tukhugov, his training partner maintains championship-level conditioning and could theoretically step into competition at any moment. The physical readiness is there, but the intention is not.
“But I’m 99% sure he won’t ever compete again. Based on our conversations, if he says something, he follows through on it 99% of the time,” Tukhugov stated.
Khabib’s retirement announcement following his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020 appears to be final, extending even to the less demanding realm of grappling competition.
