Insider from Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals ‘Eagle’ turned down $40,000,000 offer from Dana White 2 years ago

Daniel Cormier discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov's refusal of a massive UFC comeback offer, showcasing his unwavering commitment to retirement.

Insider from Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals ‘Eagle’ turned down $40,000,000 offer from Dana White 2 years ago

Khabib Nurmagomedov said no to 40 million dolllar offer from Dana White (Image via: IMAGO)

Khabib Nurmagomedov popularized MMA in the Middle East with dominant wins in the UFC. However, he retired undefeated at just 32 years old after his victory over Justin Gaethje. UFC CEO Dana White tried his best to make Nurmagomedov return from retirement. Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier provided inside information about the conversation between White and Nurmagomedov.

Cormier hosts Funky and the Champ with former Bellator and One Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren. On the show, Cormier shut down rumors that Nurmagomedov will return at UFC 300. This is what he had to say about it.

Khabib told us he turned down $40 million. That dude said $40 million, bro, to come back to fight in the UFC. I don't know how many fights he was meaning, I don't know what he meant, but he just said it. He goes, 'I turned away $40 million, brother. I'm done.' I don't know what would prompt him to come back if he was turning down that type of money 2 years ago.
Daniel Cormier via YT
YouTube video

Cormier knew that Nurmagomedov turned down Dana White’s $40 million offer to fight two years ago. Therefore, he concluded that no amount of money could return Nurmagomedov from retirement. Nonetheless, Cormier did not know whether Nurmagomedov meant $40 million for a single fight or a deal for multiple fights.

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It was Zlatan Ibrahimovic who fueled rumors of Nurmagomedov’s return at UFC 300 with a cryptic social media post. Moreover, a viral clip of AKA head coach Javier Mendez also insinuated the return of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach clears the air on potential UFC 300 return

Javier Mendez, the head coach at American Kickboxing Academy, cleared the air on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s potential return. Earlier, a viral audio clip of Mendez sent the internet into a frenzy with news of Nurmagomedov’s return. The viral clip hinted at Nurmagomedov coming back as he trained with Mendez.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Javier Mendez
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Javier Mendez (Image Courtesy – FirstSportz)

With the rumor spreading like wildfire, Mendez felt compelled to address the rumors. Mendez clarified that Nurmagomedov had indeed trained with him, but there was no hint of a potential return. Moreover, he emphasized that Nurmagomedov would not come back due to the promise he gave his mother. With Mendez’s statement, any hope for Nurmagomedov headlining UFC 300 is all but over.

UFC has not yet announced the main event for UFC 300. All signs indicate a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill or Magomed Ankalaev as the UFC 300 headliner. There is also an unlikely scenario where Belal Muhammad and Leon Edwards headline UFC 300. Some fans even predict both the aforementioned fights to be at UFC 300.

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