Dana White: 'I Would Bet' Khabib Will Return to UFC, Names Possible Opponents

UFC President Dana White is skeptical that Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement is going to be permanent. 

Speaking to TMZ Sports, White said he "would bet" that the undefeated lightweight champion will compete in the Octagon again. 

White also suggested that the two fights between Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson could determine a potential opponent for Nurmagomedov.

"We'll see how all these things play out here," he said. "One of those guys would definitely be in for the fight."

Nurmagomedov announced he was walking away from mixed martial arts after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Oct. 24.    

Nurmagomedov cited his father and trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, as the impetus for his decision to retire. Abdulmanap died in July at the age of 58 because of complications from COVID-19. 

McGregor is scheduled to fight Poirier on Jan. 23.

A rematch between the Notorious One and Nurmagomedov would likely do massive business. Their first meeting at UFC 229 had the most pay-per-view buys in company history with 2.4 million. 

Even though White said the Chandler-Ferguson winner could also be an option, that fight isn't officially signed at this point. Chandler told ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Tuesday he wants to hold off on the match until January, potentially as the co-main event on the show with McGregor and Poirier. 

Nurmagomedov has a 29-0 career record in mixed martial arts. The Eagle has won each of his 13 fights with the promotion.