Main: Brock Lesnar celebrates his win over Shane Carwin at UFC 116. Inset: Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks on stage at the UFC 219 press conference. Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC/Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Khabib Nurmagomedov offered to ‘smash’ Brock Lesnar in WWE while suspended from UFC

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 10:26 AM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov was once willing to try his hand at pro wrestling, and ‘The Eagle’ had Brock Lesnar on his mind.

Nurmagomedov found himself sidelined in late 2018 and much of 2019 after he was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his part in the controversial conclusion of UFC 229.

The pay-per-view broke buy-rate records for the promotion owing to the bitter feud between the then-lightweight champion and Conor McGregor. And emotions boiled over after ‘The Eagle’ submitted his Irish rival in round four.

Nurmagomedov sparked a brawl by attacking McGregor’s corner, and things quickly spread into the cage when members of the Dagestani’s entourage went after ‘The Notorious’. Nurmagomedov was among those suspended indefinitely in the aftermath, and he was later slapped with a nine-month prohibition from fighting.

In the meantime, ‘The Eagle’ posted about another potential option that might have led to a face-off in the squared circle with ‘The Beast Incarnate’.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Khabib Nurmagomedov pondered WWE clash with Brock Lesnar after UFC brawl left him sidelined

A number of athletes have featured in both MMA and pro wrestling, including Ronda Rousey, Dave Bautista, and CM Punk. One of the most successful to do so is Lesnar, who also previously competed in amateur wrestling and American football.

Lesnar became the UFC heavyweight champion in 2008 and recorded wins over the likes of Randy Couture, Frank Mir, and Shane Carwin inside the Octagon. But he eventually found his way back to WWE and only returned for a one-off UFC outing in 2016.

Nurmagomedov hinted at potentially following in his footsteps while suspended in 2018, claiming in a post on X that he had received an offer from the WWE.

While gauging fan interest in the venture he described as “fake fights,” Nurmagomedov targeted Lesnar.

“@WWE ask me to jump inside,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “What do you think guys? #SmashLesnar #FakeFights”

@WWE ask me to jump inside.
What do you think guys? #SmashLesnar #FakeFights
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) October 12, 2018

Nurmagomedov is retired, while Brock Lesnar is back in WWE

Nurmagomedov later returned to the UFC and made a further two title defenses. After getting past Dustin Poirier in their unification fight in 2019, Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje before retiring in 2020.

He has since pushed back any talk of a comeback, including when it comes to offers for Nurmagomedov to grapple.

While ‘The Eagle’ is enjoying retirement and focusing on outside ventures at the age of 36, the 48-year-old Lesnar recently made his WWE return . ‘The Beast Incarnate’ came out to confront John Cena at SummerSlam night two on Sunday as part of the legend’s farewell tour in 2025.

The return came despite rumors that Lesnar was banned from TKO Group (WWE and UFC) owing to his mentions in a lawsuit against Vince McMahon.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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