Khabib Nurmagomedov meets Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and 'looks forward to launching new projects in Abu Dhabi soon'

The Russian announced his retirement from MMA following his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in the capital

UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty

Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty

Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty

Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty

Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty

Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty

Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty

Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty

Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty

Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty

US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty

Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty

Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty

US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty

Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty

Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty

Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty

American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty

Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty

Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty

Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty

Khabib Nurmagomedov has described his pleasure in meeting Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the National Security Adviser, as the retired UFC lightweight champion says he looks forward now to launching new initiatives in Abu Dhabi.

Nurmagomedov, 32, announced he was stepping away from the sport on Sunday, immediately following his victory in the unification bout against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in the capital. The Dagestan native prevailed in the second round to therefore retire undefeated, with a 29-0 professional record.

On Tuesday, Nurmagomedov posted a picture on Instagram alongside Sheikh Tahnoon, who has been integral to the growth of mixed martial arts in the UAE and the region.

In the post, Nurmagomedov said: "It was my pleasure to meet @tbzayed. Thank you so much for [the] invitation. Looking forward to launch our new projects in Abu Dhabi soon InshaAllah. @visitabudhabi"

Earlier this week, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office, met with UFC president Dana White to discuss the success “Return to Fight Island”, the five-event series that concluded with UFC 254. It marked the UFC’s second residency in the capital, with both taking place in the past three months.