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Career ended, promises kept

2020-10-24T22:11:57.099Z


In the summer, Khabib Nurmagomedov's father died as a result of a coronavirus infection. The UFC star no longer wants to continue his career. After the World Cup fight in Abu Dhabi, he kept a promise to his mother.


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Khabib Nurmagomedov: "No chance that I will continue fighting without my father"

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Christopher Pike / REUTERS

He is one of the biggest stars in the history of the UFC: Mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has defended his lightweight world title in the Ultimate Fighting Championship - and has announced the end of his career.

In the second round of the fight in Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov strangled his US opponent Justin Gaethje unconscious and thereby retained his world championship belt.

The 32-year-old Russian then sank to his knees in the center of the octagon, buried his face in the crook of his arm and cried.

When Nurmagomedov got up he took off his gloves and said, "This is my last fight in the UFC".

Nurmagomedov's father and trainer Abdulmanap died last July at the age of 57 as a result of a coronavirus infection.

Nurmagomedov said he had consulted with his mother for three days whether he should fight Gaethje.

His mother was against him competing without his father.

Nurmagomedov said he decided to do it anyway - under the promise that it would be his last fight: "No chance that I will fight without my father," he said.

Nurmagomedov's promise to his mother

Most recently it was still in the room whether Nurmagomedov would compete against competitor Georges St-Pierre in the coming months.

But nothing will come of it now.

If he gives his mother his word, "I have to obey".

Nurmagomedov has fought 29 fights in his career and won all of them, including against MMA star Connor McGregor.

He had 13 wins within eight years, eight times he won by knockout.

Nurmagomedov is considered to be one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history.

In the world rankings across all weight classes, he is currently in second place.

I just want one from the UFC, "said Nurmagomedov:" You have to make me number one in the pound-for-pound world rankings, because I deserve it. "At the moment, there is the American Jon Jones. A reaction from the UFC is still pending.

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ptz / Reuters / AP

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2020-10-24

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