Undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov officially retired in the Octagon, following a dominant win over now-former interim champion Justin Gaethje. As the youngest son, Nurmagomedov lived in his parent’s home, with the aim of supporting them in their late age. Following the death of his father Abdulmanap in July due to complications from COVID-19, “The Eagle” became head of household.
Thus there was great pressure on him not to take this fight all, as it entailed leaving home for an extended period to prepare for the bout in the Fight Island bubble in Abu Dhabi. With the win, Nurmagomedov will doubtless become the UFC pound for pound #1 fighter, and thereafter is officially retired.
“It was my last fight,” he said. “No way I’m going to come here without my father. After what happened with my father, when UFC called me about Justin, I talked with my mother three days. She didn’t want me to go fight without my father. I promised her this is going to be my last fight.”
“MMA retirement” is a thing, and generally lasts months. This is not that. Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight no more forever.
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Nurmagomedov fought professionally for twelve years, the last eight in the UFC, achieving a perfect 29-0 record. Even more astonishingly, he lost only a single round in the big show, to Conor McGregor. It is a record of dominance unmatched in league history.
True fans of mixed martial arts should be happy, not sad, at the retirement news. In a sport that leaves so many broken, this was a perfect ending, to a literally perfect career.
