Khabib Nurmagomedov has announced his retirement from UFC, after securing a second round submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. That took his record to 29 wins and zero losses.
It was an emotional day for the 32-year-old Russian as he confirmed that he will walk away from the sport, a sport that he has dominated over the past few years. His father passed away earlier in the year due to COVID-19 complications and Nurmagomedov explained that he doesn’t want to keep competing without his father there to watch him.
“Thank you coach, thank you guys,” he said in a teary interview after Saturday’s bout. “Today is my last fight in UFC. It was my father’s dream. No way am I coming here without my father. When UFC called me about fighting Justin, I spoke with my mother for three days. She didn’t want me to fight without my father and I said this is my last fight. I have given her my word.”
The Russian left his gloves in the centre of the octagon, a tradition for players who are finishing their careers.
Conor McGregor, one of Nurmagomedov’s greatest rivals over the past few years, put his differences with the Russian aside and congratulated him on an incredible career.
“Good performance, Khabib,” the Irish fighter wrote. “I will carry on. Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors.”