Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained why he will never agree to fight Floyd Mayweather.
The former UFC lightweight champion called time on his combat sports career after putting Justin Gaethje to sleep at UFC 254 in October 2020.
As one of the most dominant athletes on the planet, Khabib Nurmagomedov naturally received plenty of lucrative offers to make a comeback.
The biggest bid of them all came for a potential crossover bout with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCKhabib Nurmagomedov will never fight Floyd Mayweather
In 2021, it was revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov rejected a $100 million offer to fight Floyd Mayweather soon after announcing his retirement.
Now, Nurmagomedov explained why no amount of money could ever convince him to take that fight.
‘The Eagle’ says Mayweather’s morals (or lack of) mean he’s someone that he will not associate with.
“This is a money fight, but I will never do this because I respect legacy,” Nurmagomedov said during a Q&A session in New York this past weekend.
“If you talk about Mayweather as a man, nobody wants to be like him.
“Look at Muhammad Ali. He’s not with us, but he inspired billions of people, not just Muslims.”
This is what Khabib Nurmagomedov had to say about Floyd Mayweather, when he was asked about the meaning of the fighter’s legacy at a recent meet and greet session in New York City. Do you agree with the Eagle? pic.twitter.com/IRrPXQslif
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 4, 2025
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Khabib Nurmagomedov still gets comeback offers
Dana White didn’t think Khabib Nurmagomedov should’ve retired at just 32 years old.
The UFC CEO spent a long time trying to convince Nurmagomedov to have one more fight
White eventually realized his efforts were futile and stopped badgering the 29-0 Russian icon.
Still, Nurmagomedov receives comeback offers ‘all the time’ from people outside the UFC in 2025.
“They keep offering me grappling,” the MMA legend revealed last month.
“Yeah, grappling offers all the time.
“There wasn’t anyone. They had no opponents.
“They said, ‘If you agree, we’ll find an opponent for you.
“Never even thought about it [accepting a comeback offer].”