He leaves his discipline with a record of 29 undefeated fights, and much more.
The lightweight mixed martial arts (MMA) world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, to everyone's surprise, announced his retirement at 32, to keep a promise made to his mother.
The Russian made the announcement after his overwhelmingly emotional victory over American Justin Gaethje on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), his first fight since the death in July of his father, who was also his trainer, from complications after contracting Covid-19.
TWENTY NINE AND ZERO.
🏆 @TeamKhabib with an ALL-TIMER of a performance!
# UFC254
🏝️ #InAbuDhabi |
@VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/iV30m8zVh1
- UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 24, 2020
“(My mom) didn't want me to fight without my dad by my side, and I told him it would be my last fight,” he revealed after his victory by technical knockout on the second round.
"It was my father's dream"
"I am the indisputable and undefeated champion with my 13 wins and 0 losses (in UFC, the most prestigious league in MMA, Editor's note) and my 29 wins for 0 losses throughout my career in MMA", he insisted.
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“It was my father's dream,” he added.
A few days ago, the champion shared a little cartoon retracing his story with his father, from his training with a bear, to his victories alongside his father.
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A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Oct 18, 2020 at 1:17 pm PDT
Nurmagomedov has held the lightweight belt since April 2018 and defeated MMA legend Conor McGregor in October of the same year.
The Irishman greeted the young retiree, sending him on Twitter "respect and condolences again".
The American Daniel Cormier, former world light heavyweight champion (2015-2018) and heavyweight (2018-2019) of the UFC, meanwhile sent, on Twitter also, his "congratulations to the greatest champion in UFC history ”.
The UFC considered Nurmagomedov's 29 wins to no loss to be "a legacy that will never be matched."
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UFC President Dana White further revealed at a press conference that the "Eagle of Dagestan" (a Muslim-majority North Caucasian republic) broke his foot three weeks ago while preparing this fight.
"With what this guy went through, we're all lucky to have seen him fight tonight," he praised.