Khabib Nurmagomedov, retired with a 29-0 record, remains a popular target for comeback speculation but insists it would take at least six months of rigorous preparation to return to fighting shape, emphasizing the importance of sparring over physical appearance.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, comfortably retired, isn’t sure he’d return to the octagon even if he wanted to. It’s been nearly five years since "The Eagle," one of MMA’s finest, last fought. He retired with a perfect 29-0 record after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, fulfilling a promise to his mother to stop competing.
Now 36, Khabib remains a popular subject of comeback rumors. However, he insists it would take significant preparation to re-enter the cage. "Fighting shape? Two to three months wouldn’t cut it," he mentioned in a Russian interview translated by Hustle Show. "I’ll be 37 soon. Hypothetically, it’d take at least six months."
He explained that looking fit doesn’t equate to being fight-ready. "What matters is sparring—how many rounds, and with whom. Lifting and fitness don’t count. Our sport is about stepping in, one-on-one, and fighting."
Khabib continues to train contenders like Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov, knowing firsthand the elite level required. "After my last fight, I sparred a few times. We don’t do light sparring. One hit, and it’s on. I haven’t worn gloves in five years, but I wrestle constantly, even when traveling."
Reflecting on his prime, Khabib described his training as a total shutdown of non-fighting activities. This focus led to victories over top fighters like Gaethje, Poirier, McGregor, and dos Anjos. "Any disruption caused intense anxiety," he admitted.
"You can’t just say, ‘Give me six months.’ To get back to form, you need time. Before retiring, I trained regularly, shutting everything off 100 days before a fight. No distractions. Morning and night, every day but Sunday."
Missing even one session triggered panic, feeling unprepared for the cage door to close.