Islam Makhachev says "happy" Khabib Nurmagomedov still misses fighting - "Everyday this guy is training"

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts after defeating Justin Gaethje via second-round submission at UFC 254 in October 2020, citing his father and long-time coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's passing as the reason. While he has shared that he does not plan to return to the octagon, his close friend and long-time training partner Islam Makhachev recently claimed that 'The Eagle' misses fighting.

Speaking to Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, the lightweight champion stated:

"I think he is happy, but this guy misses the fighting, fight camps. That's why he joins with us everywhere. In long time, now he will come here, and he loves to train. Everyday he trains. Not just when he's with us. Everyday this guy is training. He has a house in the village. He has a house in the city. Both houses have sauna. Both houses have very good gym, swimming pool. This guy is training everyday. For the good dinner, he has to train."

Check out Islam Makhachev's comments on Khabib Nurmagomedov below:

While Nurmagomedov has not stopped training, he is nearly four years removed from his last bout. He has since been inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame, while also coaching Makhachev to the lightweight title. The former lightweight champion also retired from coaching in January 2023.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov nearly pulled out of UFC 242 due to Zubaira Tukhugov

Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title for the second of three times when he defeated Dustin Poirier via third-round submission at UFC 242, which marked the promotion's first trip to Abu Dhabi in more than five years. Zubaira Tukhugov competed on the preliminary card, with his bout against Lerone Murphy ending in a split decision draw.

Speaking to Red Corner MMA, 'Warrior' revealed that 'The Eagle' is the reason that he was able to compete on the card, stating, in Russian:

"Nobody has ever revealed it. I got suspended. My contract was terminated. Khabib said, 'Zubaira will fight first then I will fight, too'. After the [Conor] McGregor fight, the UFC really needed Khabib so they gave me a new contract. They also promised to put me on the Abu Dhabi card with Khabib and Islam [Makhachev], but Dana White said they had no room for me on that card so they were going to let me fight in Moscow."

Tukhugov continued:

"He tried to make Khabib change his mind, but Khabib was like, 'ok, I am going to rip this contract up now, I will give my spot on the card to Zubaira if you don't have it for him'. It was his first really good pay day. I said, 'please, don't do that'. Then Hunter [Campbell] called me and said that he respected Khabib's decision and decided to remove a few fights to let me on the card. That's how I managed to be a part of the event."

Check out Zubaira Tukhugov's comments on Khabib Nurmagomedov below:

Tukhugov was serving a one-year suspension for his role in the brawl that took place after the UFC 229 lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. His suspension was reduced by 35 days, however, which made him eligible to return at UFC 242. He was ultimately released by the promotion in February 2023 following his UFC 284 loss to Elves Brener, leaving with a 5-3-1 record.