Retired UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov has teased fans and ex-boss Dana White with a potential return to the fight game.
The undefeated former lightweight champion posted a photo on his Instagram account alongside Lorenzo Fertitta, the former co-owner of the UFC.
There are no doubts that fight fans would love to see Nurmagomedov, who remains the pound-for-pound best fighter on earth on the UFC's rankings, return to the octagon – but this seemed more a tongue-in-cheek message than a serious one.
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"It was good to see you Lorenzo," Nurmagomedov wrote.
"Dana White send me location."
Along with White, Fertitta and his brother Frank bought the UFC for just $2 million in 2001.
After they took over, they steadily built their company into a worldwide brand and sold their stake in 2016 for $4 billion, with Lorenzo stepping down as CEO as a result.
Nurmagomedov steadily rose through the ranks of the fighting world before he exploded in superstardom in 2018, when he dominated Conor McGregor in their much-anticipated fight.
He was one of the rare few athletes who retired while still at the top of their game, walking away after last year's victory over Justin Gaethje as an undefeated world champion.
The 32-year-old cited the death of his father, Abdulmanap, as the catalyst for his retirement. His win over Gaethje came just months after his father suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 57.
"No way I'm going to come here without my father," he said after the fight.
"It was first time after what happened with my father, when UFC called me about Justin, I talk with my mother three days.
"She doesn't want me to go fight without my father but I promised her it was going to be my last fight. If I give my word, I have to follow this. It was my last fight here."
It is expected a new lightweight champion will be crowned mid-year.
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