Dana White Explains Why Khabib Nurmagomedov Retired From UFC

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Hosted by former Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, Games with Names is a podcast on the search to find the greatest games of all time. From the infamous to the unforgettable, we dive back into the classic matchups and eras across all of sports history. Joined by the players, coaches, and celebrity fans that lived it, we’ll uncover first-hand insights and never-before-heard stories, shining new light and perspective on the greatest games of all time.

[@sherifnabil50]

Khabib retired to let islam shine and to make his mom happy. Those are 2 strong reasons that have nothing to do with money.

[@bakedbake]

And neither would have been possible unless Khabib was well off and had already left his mark on MMA. Money was a factor but not the only factor.

[@gregoryretzepis1798]

His mom being happy is a strong reason. Retiring to let another man shine in your place is not a good reason at all. DC and Cain Velasquez are very close and they handled that the best way. DC dropped down a weight class and they both ended up becoming champions.

[@paul_SEALs]

That's wrong.. Khabib wife cheated him and had multiple men smashing her.. So in order to control her.. He retired.

[@user-gk2mc3ni1o]

@@xavierb9061bros crying

[@coconutmilk2958]

@@xavierb9061yea sure islams aura is still going. I wonder when the grapplers will show up

[@Sccott7]

few men still follow their words and keep their promise.. and khabib is one of them

[@dpgedward5947]

LOL. He is not keeping his word, he just found a way out.

[@Sccott7]

@@dpgedward5947 If you have been following MMA, Khabib is well known he is a man of his words since his first appearance even when he wasn't speak English well he was following them you can't argue with that. His last promise was to his mother and he fulfilled it, even though it was clearly against what he wanted, but the man remains a man.

[@Sccott7]

@@dpgedward5947 If you have been following MMA, Khabib is well known he is a man of his words since his first appearance even when wasn't speak English well he was following them , you can't argue with that. His last promise was to his mother and he fulfilled it, even though it was clearly against what he wanted, but the man remains a man.

[@Sccott7]

​@@dpgedward5947If you have been following MMA, Khabib is well known he is a man of his words since his first appearance even when wasn't speak English well he was following them , you can't argue with that. His last promise was to his mother and he fulfilled it, even though it was clearly against what he wanted, but the man remains a man.

[@Sccott7]

​@@dpgedward5947If you have been following MMA, Khabib is well known he is a man of his words since his first appearance even when wasn't speak English well he was following them , you can't argue with that. His last promise was to his mother and he fulfilled it, even though it was clearly against what he wanted, but the man remains a man.

[@lCo8084]

I'm not a muslim but khabib is the only reason that made me follow MMA

[@shaikgazanmehmood2900]

🫂💯 brader

[@harshsingh6251]

Me too

[@MultiFabregas4]

So?

[@slickperspective2745]

Your not wrong. Me too! I didn't actually cared about UFC till Khabib came out shine!

[@jeunema6625]

So what are you to be a Muslim!!

[@raydawg2115]

Khabib is my goat. Always will be. For me, being a dominant champion means a lot, but when you pair that with being a good person outside of your sport, it means everything. RIP Abdulmanap. You raised real men

[@Brahim0801]

Materialistic people who value money over their loved ones will find it hard to believe that khabib retired for reasons that had nothing to do with money.

[@dpboy8315]

Nice said . Kabib said people alway forgot why I left

[@Brahim0801]

@@dpboy8315 exactly, he knows not many people get it.

[@qorashyarc]

Khabib is the most respectful guy ever in the UFC.

[@shitinsideyou]

very true, I like Khabib but unfortunately he supports Sharia law which says it's ok to marry a 6 year old and many other bad things... But some people are cool with that.

[@JoaoVictor-et7my]

He shares the first place with Lyoto Machida

[@LeonardoSilveti]

No it's gsp, Khabib's been very cocky and slapped fighters outside the ring. Losing his temper.

[@nayz1y15]

@@LeonardoSilveti khabib is not cocky and controls his temper extremely well but has had moments where his emotions took over, he is still human. And slapped fighters?? The only "slap" he apparently did was on mcgregor's mate and please fact check before sperading bs because there was no slap at all.

[@4thlord51]

What Dana said is true from a business aspect. Khabib has more than enough money than he could ever wanted and Dana knows he can't leverage him to come back. Khabib's father passing away zapped any motivation from him being a fighter.

[@mahariharith340]

and ...there seemed to be nobody that could challange him & motivate him to keep going to the gym

[@KolanceMeer]

It was never about money and Dana just trying to look good. Poor guy. Answering questions about Khabib's retirement for so many years. It's never been money and it was the reasons inside the family, which we has nothing but respect. Dad passed away (ufc was his own dream, not Khabib's one) and mother committed the last fight. So Dana looks very studio for me, when he lie about wealth that Khabib got in Russia - cause Khabib refused to it. But poor old bold man didn't mention that , like a rat. No everyone loves money, as you do, Dana Greed.

[@eimansfq1860]

his still going to gym and training... he taking charge the role of his dad...managing their crew especially his cousins Umar, Usman and his dad favourite student, Islam..

[@nomanahmed9880]

Yeah but he is talking about connor fight and he did fight twice after that against dustin and Justin...the catalyst was his father passing away and so he made the promise to his mom if his father was alive he wouldn't have retired that early..as there was no indication for that

[@ridwanplk]

When Khabib cited his mother's request as the reason for his early retirement. It was hard for many people to accept that and try to come up with a more plausible reason. Everyone will measure in their own shoes. It is a fact that today many people cannot afford to sacrifice money and popularity for their own mother.

[@like2jo4796]

You can say Dana regretting that he suspended Khabib for nearly a year 😂

[@alexferdinansyah757]

Actually the las vegas sport commission that did it. And the commission fined Khabib as well. If it was up to dana, Khabib would keep on fighting.

[@mmahighlights5867]

the right time for conor vs khabib was after conor beat alvarez because khabib was the one supposed to face alvarez and got side stepped by ufc for conor. Khabib was so pissed and went off about bullshit contracts and how conor is easiest fight in 155. the steel was hot then and both were younger, the fight would been better in my opinion then the one sided beatdown we saw where khabib was smeshing conor, or maybe conor was just blocking khabibs shots with his face. As well people forget how many fighters simply tried to avoid khabib completely because of his dominate style of fighting. they know the plan yet cannot stop it. Thats why khabib is the Goat in 155

[@keyboardwarrior6591]

He did not, it was the comission. However Dana wanted to suspend Islam he did not know the potential Islam had but Khabib threatened him with retirement before the Dustin and Justin fight so Dana stopped.

[@AbcDino843]

@@mmahighlights5867 the right time for us to see that one fight, yes, but business wise this worked out the best for both of them.

[@adamburling9551]

In my humble opinion. Khabib had been the legitimate champion since 2014, after he beat DosAnjos. Technically, he wasn't, but in reason, he was. He left the UFC for 2 yeara after beating DosAnjos, and most people forget that. And in 2015, DosAnjos became the Champion! So he beat the champion before the champion became a champion, exactly one year earlier.

[@thepr1ntgnome430]

Dos anjos was a great fighter back then, he even gave colby and other welterweights trouble.

[@Brett_Bond]

Dos Anjos was on a 5 fight winning streak and then lost to Khabib and then he was again on a 5-6 fight winning streak.

[@ChrisG030]

Whats that logic lol

[@maherberain1859]

khabib never get punched in the face, always looked like walking straight out the lookerroom

[@mrconfusion87]

Khabib is a force of nature! Like the MMA version of Tyson!

[@stevenbrown2401]

Respect to you Khabib, and my condolences for the Loss of your Dad

[@108077854]

"You want to talk about one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport thats never talked about, Khabib Nurmagomedov dad" Proceeds to not mention his name haha 0:27

[@mmahighlights5867]

Abdulmanap nurmagomedov

[@soccerplyr8]

Exactly.what a joke

[@2016Islander]

I followed UFC because of team khabib. I was in one of his meet and greet event. It was great 👍

[@farhanmirza3255]

Khabib is man of of his words !👑

[@GO-ej1pg]

Jules. Great podcast my man! You’re a natural interviewer. Looking forward to the complete episode. Peace brotha!

[@yehiak8711]

This honestly pissed me off how Dana unintentionally or intentionally (gotta assume the best) didn't mention the Khabib mother thing and it is more about money even though Khabib was offered 100 million to return. (around 10x his entire UFC career) I mean when it's dana white, everyone and everything is money to you.

[@tsunax1400]

Khabib mentioned how after he kept Dana that he was retired, Dana asked him why he wouldn't at least name a price. I think that's just how Dana lives his life, he genuinely can't understand a motivator other than money

[@CruzCGK]

Well I think it’s more about that even if his dad died if khabib didn’t have the money he would have to still fight cause he would still have bills to pay. But with him having this money he doesn’t have to work

[@KolanceMeer]

Yes, Dana just lie there. Smells bad. Real reason are not about money at all

[@sxanep]

@@tsunax1400 Exactly, Dana thinks that he can buy anyone and it's just a matter of price. Classic American. He'll never understand why Khabib retired and why Fedor had never fought in UFC.

[@DimsHanf]

what do you expect from mr.krab

[@EntrepreneurialSparks]

Great podcast! Really interesting to listen to Dana White

[@KittiesAreSoNice]

I thought Dana was done with podcasts?

[@fw_youtube]

Love to see our boss Dana White transformation, always be wiser and wiser through age.

[@suqies]

julian's dad pretty big influence on his life, woulda been nice to hear him talk about that too like khabib

[@johnvlg01]

Good for him, did what he came to do and didnt over stay his time and moved on.............what all Men must learn to do.

[@bentleynguyen8979]

It never about money with Khabib. He kếpt his word with his mother that he will not fight anymore. And Khabib are a man of his words.

[@bretjohn3716]

"Once you get to that level..." lol like we are ever gonna experience it or even be close to getting to that level🤣

[@GymEddz]

Don't put a limit on your capabilities. You are whatever you work hard to be. It all starts with positivity.

[@mileshamblen9982]

So what Dana is really trying to say is, "We purposely pay fighters the least amount of money possible; so that fighters want to keep fighting for the rest of their lives."

[@kingzoro6058]

I think this was a very fair take by Dana

[@_thecrimsonreaper_4972]

He retired because he made a promise to his mother not because he got all of those things given to him

[@Jase_TV]

Exactly. Bad Dana. Khabib values honour over money.

[@majicmancoo]

it's good to see someone pronounce kabibs name correctly.

[@Time_is_money43]

Khabib is the goat man ❤️

[@luqmanhbs3885]

"He made too much money. This is why I can't pay my fighters too much money"

[@jackball9081]

It could be anything but money , Khabib is not like that

[@aRsH-aJ]

We would never have seen Charles Olivera with the belt had Khabib not retired early. He would have not retired until Islam was up there. The belt would have gone from Khabib to Islam.

[@moinuddinsag]

connor lives in a yacht at wherever is warmest place is at that time connor is living the life 😮

[@drjonesize5438]

He defended his belt 3 times, solidifying his legacy as the goat of the ufc and world. Who cares if DJ and Bones combined for like 25, legacy is doing what mommy wants.

[@joemckim1183]

If you keep fighting eventually someones going to knock off your pedestal. Volkanovski has list his last 2 fights. Im MMA you dont get to go out on a retirement tour in your latter years like in team sports.

[@Multihopefulness]

Side Note: Dana thinks in black and white shades.

[@rszeta21]

He said he wouldn't do any podcasts! 🤔🤔

[@eadc888]

The Pootsky so generous giving Khabib $20 mil of someone else’s land. What a man 💪🏻

[@aqeeqansari]

He still lives in his home in the mountains of Dagestan. It's never about money

[@yupadej4361]

The GOAT

[@Jimmyfly215]

Khabib is the greatest UFC contestant of all time. we wont see another

[@noormurrar9935]

I thought you tired of podcasts

[@CoolAdam247]

Fun fact - Khabib gave back those gifts to Putin and he also sent back Kadyrov gift which was a Mercedes G Wagon and Rolls Royce Ghost shortly after his father's passing. Basically Khabib did not sign his name on the properties when the time for personal reasons and also over the fact that Putin was bombing Syria in support of the brutal dictator Bashar Al Assad. He fell out and snubbed Ramzan Kadyrov after the Chechen dictator turned up to his father's funeral with an entire TV crew for publicity and a photo opportunity for himself which Khabib took great offence to and that later on escalated when Kadyrov slandered and insulted the founding father of Dagestan Imam Shamil of whom Khabib is a direct descendant. Khabib replied by sending back all his gifts and cutting him off completely and indirectly humiliated Kadyrov by highlighting greatness of Imam Shamil and how funny it is that even his enemies had praise for Imam Shamil and how the only ones speaking ill today are traitors and cowards who are only fierce against women and children. The women and children reference was definitely taking a jab at Kadyrov since Kadyrov sent goons and brutally attacked Fedor Emilianenko's teenage daughter after he criticised Kadyrov's childrens fighting organisation. The traitor reference was 1000% about his father Akhmad Kadyrov betraying Chechnya overnight for money and power and stabbing his countrymen in the back in the process which later cost him his life when he got sent flying to the moon like Team Rocket while he was in attending a concert at a stadium and their happened to be 3 artillery shells strapped to the bottom of his seat. So that's how Kadyrov courted Khamzat Chimaev and tried to use him against Khabib by buying him a G Wagon and property in Chechnya which failed miserably in the end because Khabib made it clear that Khamzat is his brother in faith and kinship. Overall Khabib is a boss that's stands on business even against the harshest of opponents and he does it in restrained fashion in order to protect his friends and family.

[@qwertyasdfgh1014]

It's interesting how you support the Sunni Islamists and you're sorry because the black flag of Daesh didn't fly over Damascus. That says enough about you because you're sorry that the Islamists didn't kill all those who are not of the same faith as them.

[@olegdjakonu9468]

you forgot to swallow your pills, go now

[@ripinripin5298]

Allahuakbar walillaahilhamd

[@CoolAdam247]

@@lyx2769 look it up brother and also check Kadyrov slandering Imam Shamil and Khabib defending Imam Shamils name.

[@yas2ne19]

this guy wrote a GoT type lore and people beleive it in the comments LMAOO

[@jpaul8419]

I thought Dana White said he is done with podcasts?

[@spacecowboy_1962]

I can't believe Dana compared Khabib and Connor. Jesus, this guy has no integrity at all. Still a nasty bully to those who dont bend the knee to him

[@andrewpierce1588]

To him they’re all dollar signs. So, to him they are the same.

[@beaualoevv]

@@andrewpierce1588khabob can’t look at one women before he rage quits Iife

[@coconutmilk2958]

@@beaualoevvit’s called self control. Isn’t having control over yourself better than yourself having control over you?

[@Culture_2520]

He loves to wrestle Because He is gay​@@coconutmilk2958

[@calvincalvin3132]

Rip khabib’s father

[@soccerplyr8]

His name nobody's knows. Just his father

[@bilalr7881]

It didn’t have anything to do much money he’s lying Non-Muslims wouldn’t understand what he did and why he did it, but we Muslims do.

[@superboy305]

Fight to get out situation your in, why Conor needs to fall back.

[@DAVID4GAMER]

Dana basically ranting for not being able to squeeze more momey from Khabib 😂 Khabib being able to save enough money to retire while still healthy is possibly the best endgoal for any sportsman

[@franklinruizbn857]

Of course, if you get money the least thing you want to do is getting fights to be punched in the face... except Khabib. He got money and never got pinched in the face. So he could easily come back though that guy is a man of his word.

[@simonsays735]

AND THAT LAST SENTENCE SAID IT ALL

[@praneelarora1]

Such a simple point, most of us didn’t think of it…once you get to that point you’re not getting punched in the face anymore. But don’t expect to be called the greatest of all time then

[@qorashyarc]

Dana is a businessman, and what he said is a business man's approach. However, khabib is a great role model and fighter that money is not his highest priority. Dana needs to understand that.

[@Farhaan_Enigmatic]

Khabib 🫡❤️

[@JohnDoeMidnight-jq2me]

Dana is Mr Krabs

[@perjalananwaktu7181]

Dana still upset that he can't milk Khabib 😂

[@ninounino4552]

never compare conor to khabib it's like you're comparing poop to chocolate

[@hedonepicurea4327]

It's interesting how awarding islam can be for its servants

[@azeemahmed1990]

Dana cant think beyond money, Khabib was in for legacy, he left because of his promise to his mother. But of course these concepts of respect and love parents hardly exist for these folks.

[@usebat]

Dana's statement maybe true for Conor but Khabib is the same guy who did not even change his car or lifestyle after becoming a superstar and a champ. So money is not an issue or cannot be a reason for him to stop doing what he loves. So, Dana that's your point of view because you value the money so much. Khabib did it for his family. Remember what he said: "No way I'm coming into the octagon without my father!".

[@craik7]

It's funny how Dana says khabib retired because of money yet khabib himself said that no amount of money can bring me back to MMA..

[@tylorlarocke9953]

Thought Dana didn't do podcasts anymore... Poor Howie

[@sasharemez7459]

Khabib said why he retired why is everyone creating other reasons? Y’all don’t believe his word?

[@MM-br3lv]

Dana can’t go 1:45 seconds with it saying Connors name 😂

[@johnnybgood-ws5cu]

AND THEY BOTH DESERVE ALL OF IT, THEY FIGHT SO THE REST OF US DON'T HAVE TO AND THEY FOUGHT WELL. I BELIEVE CONNOR WOULD HAVE FIGURED KAHBIB OUT !!!

[@shaz131]

Habibs still training day in and day out in his native Russia just not getting filmed doing it. Of course no denying that he isn't fighting or cornering or making weight ... but training he is. Connor does little gets more film and publicity on it. Also Connor fought Khabib and lost 2 of 3 post that. Habib defended twice successfully finishing his opponents and then took the gloves off when he was at top at that particular time. Connor is for pseudo fan following and ppv points. Khabibs all for legacy and principals. Big difference. He is as close as it gets to being the best representative of the sport and of his religion.

[@raivons]

Because of injuries and health while cutting

[@ehsanalhaq8917]

When I spoke with khabib he confirmed that he gave up fighting when his dad died as his mother and wife told him to retire because fighting is not permissible in our religion. (It’s forbidden to hit another person especially on the face). Hence why he will never fight again. He only fought to make his dad happy and to make his dream come true. What a legend.

[@mrconfusion87]

But he can be a trainer, and I'd be curious to see how good he would be in that life...

[@mindyourbeezwax860]

Dana deep inside would love to make Khabib loose bye threw everything at him. He still beat everyone against all odds

[@thedanishzone1616]

Yeah, but Khabib doesn't live like Conor. He's not attached to the money either way. He still lives relatively simple and spends his fortune building others. It was not about money for Khabib either way.

[@bigmo7388]

This is Dana being Dana saying whatever comes to his mouth. The man told you why he is retiring but this guy wants to put his own twist on it lol

[@rebelxd2019]

khabib left bcz he knew the end of his prime might just be around the corner. He wanted to go out with the undefeated title 29-0 also he didn't want to end up like tony ferguson

[@raymondrhorer6045]

His mom told him he couldn't fight anymore

[@taylorskidmore2760]

The amount of money he made bro he had absolutely no reason to do anything. The dude fought his entire life and now his father passed and it's time for him to fill that role

[@tipsy113]

And that's the reason why Dana will never pay his fighters boxing type of money, they'll have no drive to get beaten up every 6 months.

[@paulomontero12]

40 million I'd retire to.

[@truth5607]

I do not agree with you, uncle Dana Coz. Not only the Islamic world loves and respect Khabib , but respectable people know that he belongs to them, whatever their religion, race, or nationality.

[@CaptainBenjamins]

It’s hard to get punched in the face when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas, I’ll tell you that much

[@tonyhuerta8964]

He took the magic from Conor

[@charlesoboyle4787]

Khabib WAS SMART. Very few fighters/boxers quit at their peak-most stay waaaaaay too long-Ali greatest of all time-stayed too long-took too much punishment well past his peak.Khabib is smart.Connor is probably smart-IF he stays retired.No way should he fight hungry guys like Topuria(Connor's per PED mass weight class-about same as Topuria-145 or so) Connor is no 170 lb fighter-hell they are-many- 6 feet plus-shoulders door wide-actually weigh 190 when they step in ring-Conor is a 145 lb competitor(heck Nate choked him out-all that length too much for Connor-and soooo good of course)

[@alfiashaikh9228]

It's a shame that money is the only thing that Dana cares about in this fight game. Habib could've done 30-0 and accomplished his father's dream but he promised his mother to retire. Every mother 0:07 wants a son who keeps his words like habib does. Very rare these day, Habib has inspired me to become a good person! Dana will never understand because he never had a father like Habib , because Dana never grew up in poor life like habib.

[@b-sideplank]

Dana is great. he's more smart than most people will know. but he doesn't get Khabib. he just doesn't understand.

[@kryojenisist]

Are you people not listening? I talk to people all day, and i thought it was just the industry im in where people dont listen, but no... all of you do not listen Dana white told two stories. "When his dad died it sucked all the energy" that was the end of story one and in books, youll read "he then continued" Which refers to him continuing to say something else.

[@janboven575]

why fury ands joshua are still fighting

[@Miya622]

Khabib the eagle 🦅 and Islam the king 👑 Both are Goat 🐐 Al hamdulillah Allahu Akbar ☝🏻

[@OmnivoraMan1981]

McGregor fans once said : y'all know UFC because Conor McGregor.. Me : No kid, i know UFC since Brock Lesnar came to UFC.. And even the other know since Gracie.

[@koukouroukou3390]

Father's plan..

[@khawariqbal2659]

Khabib didn't retire coz he got to "that level" of money. That's Conor.

[@SamSam-qm1li]

Is that why you're still working Dana

[@SmRooN]

why i have to face death or being retired because of something I already got what I want from ? Dana hate to lose this source of money to build his fortune and his greedy to get more. those people reach to their goal here and setup another goal somewhere else. so go find hungry fighter so they can achieve their dream too (financially ? with lower cost but much effort)

[@kevinwilliamsjr.2390]

And that's exactly why you keep them good and broke, Dana. Guys make money and don't wanna fight anymore.

[@DwadeFL4SHMV3]

To suggest khabib retired for monetary reasons is pretty disrespectful actually.

[@MrIlleism]

I kove when americans go from mentioning countries to specific cities in a country to just a city because they dont know the country

[@magnum4623]

khabib getting free properties is just lies... gifts like cars and watches he did get...

[@FamousQuotesForEveryone-yd9hc]

Thanks 👍 mashallah khabib 🇷🇺❤️‍🩹🇵🇸😊

[@unknown-cl4yc]

Dana white cannot live without mc gregor ..... He loves mcgregor

[@tuffneggah]

tyson pedro tho

[@jonrobbin170]

Khabib beating Conor emboldened Putin on a global scale

[@lahoreaskari2651]

If money was the motivating factor for Khabib to retire then he would've retired right after the McGregor fight after accumulating all the extra money showered on him by the political elite of the world *BUT he didn't!* Instead, he went on fighting and only fought Justin Gaethje because he was already committed to it after his father's death. Khabib only retired because he had made a promise to his mother to stop fighting plus he never reconciled with his father not being in his corner during his fights. Had it been for money, he would never have refused a $100 million fight with Floyd Mayweather after retirement!

[@toramaru2490]

Through habib dana learned that there are something that worth more than any sum of cash in the world