Daniel Cormier: UFC is “Smart” to Not Strip Khabib Nurmagomedov of Title

Recently Dana White has raised eyebrows by reporting he believes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement will be a short-lived one. In addition, recently he confirmed that the undefeated fighter remains the lightweight champ. 

Well, while Daniel Cormier isn’t so sure Khabib will fight again, ‘DC’ believes the UFC is making the right move by not stripping the champ.

Cormier responds to White’s recent comments

After Khabib choked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last month, he announced the bout would be his last. The champ reported that he promised his mother it would be his final fight, following the passing of his father earlier this year.

The news surprised a lot of folks, since the consensus was Khabib would return to the cage to pursue the 30-0 mark. 

Not long after, however, White said that after talking with Khabib, he believes the star could return to pursue that 30th win. In addition, White confirmed that the UFC has not stripped Khabib of the belt, and that no upcoming fights will determine a new champ.

Well, during Cormier’s most recent show with Ariel Helwani, the legend had this to say about how the UFC is handling the situation (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“Now that’s smart,” Cormier said about not stripping Nurmagomedov. “I think that’s smart and that speaks to the value that Khabib has…

Henry Cejudo said he was done, the same night they announced Petr Yan was gonna fight somebody for that title.

You don’t do that to Khabib Nurmagomedov. You sit and hope. You sit and wait and hope. Like Dana said, he was very emotional.

You could see it, it all came out of him. So you sit and you wait and you hope that the stance changes and you do get that thirtieth fight.

“You don’t (even) have to make a decision in January. I think you can wait until next summer…

The reality is this though, with the way that things have gone with the pandemic and everything, Khabib was gonna fight in April but he didn’t fight until October (and) nobody was yelling, ‘Take the belt from him.’

You’ve got time in regards to Khabib Nurmagomedov and if push comes to shove and he needs more time, create another interim title and he just beats the interim champion.

That’s exactly what’s happened the last couple times.”

Cormier’s on point

Hard to disagree with anything Cormier has said here. The UFC certainly has some time before they need to make any decisions in this respect. 

For example, if the UFC is thinking about having Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier battle for the vacant title, January 23rd, there’s no need to make that call now. The expected fight’s already a five rounder.

The big question is, however, will Khabib change his mind? Cormier believes his longtime friend could decide to fight again, but he’s leaning towards that not happening.