Khabib Nurmagomedov has accused UFC president Dana White of telling an 'absolute lie' after White claimed the former champion retired partly because he made enough money from speaking engagements in Muslim-majority countries.
Nurmagomedov, 37, retired from MMA in 2020 after submitting Justin Gaethje to maintain his unbeaten record. He cited his father's death earlier that year and a promise to his mother as reasons for stepping away.
White told Prince St Pizza this week: 'He hit Saudi, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, all these places. They rained on him, so he made so much money, he didn't have to fight anymore.'
Responding on Instagram, Nurmagomedov wrote: 'I swear by Allah, this is an absolute lie. Nobody ever gave me those millions... The whole world knows the real truth.'
The Russian now coaches fighters including Islam Makhachev, who became UFC welterweight champion in November after vacating the lightweight title.
