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UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has officially announced the formation of his new MMA promotion - Eagle Fighting Championship.
A couple of days ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov bought the Russian MMA promotion Gorilla Fighting Championship for $1 million. He has now renamed that promotion, which operates from his native Dagestan, the Eagle Fighting Championship.
Khabib Nurmagomedov unveiled his new promotion at a press conference on Wednesday.
Daily Express and Daily Star MMA journalist Chisanga Malata was present at the press conference and revealed a few details about Khabib Nurmagomedov's promotion. There was also an update on Khabib's potential return to the Octagon. Here's what Malata posted on Twitter:
“Khabib Nurmagomedov officially announced the formation of Eagle Fighting Championship today. The promotion’s shows will be aired on UFC Fight Pass. Additionally, Khabib said he’ll only end his retirement from MMA if his mother gives him her blessing.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov drops a massive hint about his potential return
Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently retired, but the undefeated Russian dropped a massive hint about his potential return to the Octagon during the interview.
When Nurmagomedov retired following UFC 254, he said that his mother didn't want him to go fight in the absence of his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. But now in Wednesday's interview, Nurmagomedov said that he will only return to the Octagon if his mother changes her initial stance and gives him her blessings.
Despite his retirement, Khabib Nurmagomedov hasn't been stripped of the title yet. He also holds the number one spot in the men's pound-for-pound rankings. UFC president Dana White has said that he believes that Khabib is not done fighting just yet. White is supposed to meet Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi soon to discuss the latter's future.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's last fight was in October, in the headliner of UFC 254, where he thoroughly dominated Justin Gaethje to pick up a second-round submission victory.
