Georges St-Pierre Gives His Honest Opinion On Khabib Nurmagomedov's Retirement From MMA

UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has hailed Khabib Nurmagomedov and says he wouldn't dare try to talk him out of retirement.

Nurmagomedov, 32, walked away from the UFC after beating Justin Gaethje on Saturday.

He retires from MMA with a perfect professional record of 29-0 and leaves behind an incredible legacy.

St-Pierre, who had been linked with a super-fight against the undefeated Russian, believes Nurmagomedov has made the right decision regarding his career.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani via Bloody Elbow, he said: "Maybe normally, I would (ask someone to stay for a fight with me), but because of the circumstances, I would never dare to do that.

"I am not in his shoes, he is going through a tough time because his father passed away. He needs time to mourn his father.

"I respect Khabib a lot. What we do is a sport. This goes beyond sport, goes on to the human side and I just wish him and his family the best.

"I don't want to say anything that will speculate in any way that we could make a fight. I don't want the reporters to put that in his headline.

"It's a disrespect to the turn of events that has happened to his life. I want him to go with his family and have peace of mind. Not thinking about fighting, and just relax and enjoy your retirement."

Image: PA

GSP continued: "As a human being, I am very very happy for him. What a great career. What a great way to leave with a perfect legacy.

"Now the doors are all open for him. He finished on top. His stock is at its pinnacle. He can do whatever he wants. Sponsorship, publicity, open a school, acting, whatever he wants to do, the possibilities are endless.

"A lot of fighters in our sport have a tendency to finish too late in their career. So their stock is going down, and then they close the door for many opportunities that a lot of elite athletes could have as an after-career. Khabib has a choice now.

"I always feel sad when I see an athlete taking too many fights - a champion. Taking too many fights, and retire, having very bad performance and affect the well-being... that's something I really don't wish to someone.

"Khabib did an amazing decision."

The Canadian megastar, who retired from MMA in 2019, expressed his desire to face 'The Eagle'.

But the lightweight fighter's emotional retirement will likely spell the end of St-Pierre's UFC comeback.

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC News, Fight News, UFC, Georges St-Pierre

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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