2023 opened up with Khabib Nurmagomedov stepping away from the sport. “The Eagle,” who has since focused his efforts on fight promotion and coaching since his retirement in 2020, is taking an indefinite sabbatical to spend more time with his family.
That also means Khabib won’t be there to help longtime comrade Islam Makhachev in his first title defense at UFC 284 against Alexander Volkanovski. Makachev confirmed the news in a recent interview with FOX Sports Australia, and he doesn’t see it as a potential problem.
“Because when the cage door close, no one is there for you,” he said.