Khabib Nurmagomedov comments on Tyson Fury’s boxing return
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has offered a tongue-in-cheek explanation for Tyson Fury’s latest boxing comeback, suggesting the British heavyweight may have exhausted his finances, reports BritPanorama.
The retired MMA star found humour in Fury’s decision to step back into the ring, sharing his theory during a recent media scrum. “Then I think he spent all his money and came back. This is how I feel, but Tyson is a great champion,” Nurmagomedov said.
Fury’s return will see him face Arslanbek Makhmudov on British soil this April, marking the former two-time heavyweight world champion’s first appearance in the ring since December 2024. The 37-year-old stepped away from the sport following back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, with the second loss prompting yet another retirement announcement from ‘The Gypsy King’.
Few observers believed Fury would remain retired for long, given his well-documented history of walking away from boxing only to return. Nurmagomedov noted the Dagestani connection to Fury’s opponent, stating, “Of course, I’m going to watch this fight.” This marks the fifth occasion the Manchester-born fighter has reversed a decision to hang up his gloves, leading supporters to approach his proclamations with considerable scepticism.
Nurmagomedov observed a recurring theme in Fury’s retirement timing, noting, “I think Tyson Fury has come out [of retirement] five times. Every summer, he retires. I think before vacation, he announced he was retiring.” His pattern of stepping away from boxing stretches back over a decade, with his first retirement announcement coming in 2013.
In contrast, Nurmagomedov has remained steadfast in his own retirement from mixed martial arts since October 2020 after submitting Justin Gaethje to unify the lightweight championship at UFC 254. Despite persistent speculation about a potential return, he has firmly stated, “There is no chance. None. Not even 1 percent. Minus,” focusing instead on coaching and nurturing elite talent within his team.
As the boxing world gears up for Fury’s imminent return, the interplay between his financial motivations and the anticipation of his next bout serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding athletes’ careers—a fine balance between glory and the realities that drive them back into the spotlight.
