UFC wanted Khabib Nurmagomedov to return just so he would lose, according to Georges St. Pierre

• UFC wanted Khabib Nurmagomedov to return for one more fight just so the Russian would lose.
• That's according to Georges St. Pierre who said they don't like that Khabib left on his own terms.
• "They want a guy to beat Khabib, then [they'll say]: 'Okay, now you can leave.'"

Georges St. Pierre has a theory that the only reason the UFC wanted Khabib Nurmagomedov to return to the Octagon is because the leading MMA firm wanted another fighter to beat him.

Nurmagomedov has not fought since he choked Justin Gaethje unconscious on Fight Island in October.

Shortly after the conclusive win, the Russian wrestler dropped to his knees, cried to mourn the loss of his father Abdulmanap who died after coronavirus complications, and then gave an emotional and abrupt retirement speech.

It brought to an end a legendary run at the pinnacle of combat sports. Nurmagomedov finished with an unbeaten record of 29-0.

Though it appears clear Nurmagomedov no longer has a competitive desire, the UFC President Dana White has made numerous attempts to lure him back for one final bout.

Late Thursday, however, White finally accepted that the Russian is retired forever.

According to St.Pierre, the UFC didn't want Nurmagomedov to leave on his own terms - much like St. Pierre did twice as a reigning champion in 2013 and then again in 2017.

"I believe they want to keep Khabib in because they feel like Khabib is undefeated," St. Pierre told ESPN this week, prior to White's confirmation that Nurmagomedov isn't coming back.

"He has probably the most dominant career ever. I don't even know if he lost a round. He might have lost a round, but he dominated all his opponents.

"They don't want him to leave on his terms, they want a guy to beat him, then after they're gonna be like: 'Okay, now you can leave.'

"But Khabib is smart, I think he's very smart, he left on top, and there's nothing wrong with that."

St. Pierre and Nurmagomedov had been linked with a mega-match - one that would pair the greatest of a previous era with the greatest of the current era.

With St. Pierre's comments, and White's confirmation of Khabib's retirement, it doesn't look like it will happen any time soon.