UFC president Dana White said he is meeting with Khabib Nurmagomedov as he presses the retired star for one more fight.
Khabib stunningly announced his retirement from the octagon after beating Justin Gaethje to defend the lightweight title at UFC 254 in October as he improved to 29-0, though the 32-year-old remains the champion.
White has retained hope of Khabib returning to the UFC, previously talking up the Russian trying to reach a flawless 30-0 record.
As Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier prepare to clash at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi on January 23, White told ESPN: "I'm obviously meeting with him [Khabib] because I think that he should fight again.
"Look at what he did to Justin Gaethje. Look at what he's done to every opponent he has faced.
"I think he should fight again and I'm going to press him as hard as I can for one more."
White added: "As a promoter, you always want to see the best guys in the world, but at the same time, when a guy wants to retire, he probably should.
"The difference with a guy like Khabib is he's been through so much, and losing his dad was a major blow to him. Yet, his dad wanted him to hit 30-0.
"No matter what you think of Conor personally, Conor McGregor is not only one of the best in the world, but one of the best to ever do it. And right now, he's as focused as he's ever been.
"I don't know if this is going to be the same Conor after the Poirier fight, but if this Conor sticks around for the next year, how do you not do Khabib vs. Conor again?"
LATEST STORIES
Randy Brown to face Bryan Battle at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 7
- 2024-12-03 10:33:44
- Hits 314
Edwards predicts knockout win over Muhammad in UFC 304 main event- “He’s another guy that’s in my way”
- 2024-07-25 12:04:10
- Hits 225
New Champion: Muhammad strikes Welterweight gold after dominant win over Edwards in UFC 304 main event
- 2024-07-29 09:30:49
- Hits 177
“There’s levels to this”- Brown believes experience will give him the edge over Battle at UFC 310
- 2024-12-05 16:34:59
- Hits 149
Edwards, Muhammad successfully make weight ahead of UFC Welterweight Championship clash at UFC 304 in Manchester
- 2024-07-26 10:46:19
- Hits 149