The future Pound for Pound and UFC Hall of Famer, Khabib Nurmagomedov just announced his retirement from professional MMA after submitting Justin Gaethje in UFC 254.
The Dagestani superstar, stretched his record to 29-0 to retain his UFC lightweight title.
Nurmagomedov, 32, submitted Gaethje in the second round of their UFC championship clash.
Speaking to Jon Anik inside the Octagon, he said: “God give me everything, this is my last fight. No way I can come here without my father. I promise it will be my last fight. If I give my word, I have to follow this.”
Conor McGregor posted a respectful message to Khabib after the fight on social media, saying; “Good performance. I will carry on. Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors.”
Khabib essentially said he doesn’t want to continue in the sport without his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who passed away earlier this year after suffering some complications with COVID-19.
“Thank you for these guys, these guys with me, been with my father for more than 10 years. All my team, AKA with coach Javier, I love him so much, all my team,” Nurmagomedov said. “Today, I want to say, this was my last fight. No way am I going to come here without my father. It was first time, after what happened with my father, when UFC called me about Justin. I talk with my mother three days, she don’t want that I go fight without father. I promised her, it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this. It was my last fight here.”
29-0.
A legacy that will never be equaled… #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/yck8dXSBQK
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
“All this UFC team, everybody around the world, this whole pandemic stuff, they are doing great show. Thank you so much Justin. Justin, 2016 I remember when I cut weight, you helped me a lot. Thank you brother. I know you are a great man, I know how you take care of your people,” Nurmagomedov continued. “I know a lot of things about of you, because of your parents, because one day, it’s going to happen something. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow, you never know.”
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Nurmagomedov’s retirement seems to open the door for Gaethje to fight for a title again in his next outing. And he said he’s ready to step back into the cage on a quick turnaround.
“I fight for a living,” Gaethje said after the defeat. “The best thing about getting choked out is there’s nothing really consequential to your health, especially your long-term health. I said I’ve got five wars left, and I haven’t had any since I said that. … I’d say six weeks?”
Gaethje, who was in good spirits and said the fight made him “feel alive,” also gave credit to Nurmagomedov for his victory.
“He took me down,” Gaethje said. “He was very strong. I know he made his father very proud.”
UFC president Dana White added to the praise heaped on Nurmagomedov after another dominant victory, saying he had suffered two broken bones in his foot and two broken toes three weeks before the fight.
Nurmagomedov retires from MMA having never lost a fight and boasting victories over the likes of Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, among others.
“This is my last fight.”@TeamKhabib pays his respects following a dominant performance at #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/5HiUvJXBJC
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
WAS IT EVER IN DOUBT!? ?
Khabib Nurmagomedov moves to 29-0 with an incredible win over Justin Gaethje ?
WHO. Who can beat this man inside the Octagon?! #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/jyKqQqYI2f
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 24, 2020
Respect. #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/pgS1YhI2CF
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after #UFC254, walking away with an undefeated record of 29-0. pic.twitter.com/8zeppj5rZc
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 24, 2020
“This was my last fight. No way I can come here without my father. … I promise it will be my last fight. If I give my word, I have to follow this.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov announces retirement after defending lightweight title at #UFC254
(via @ufc)pic.twitter.com/OYBSBMHrYl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 24, 2020
BREAKING: Khabib Nurmagomedov announces his retirement from MMA. #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/JtLGvh36ds
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 24, 2020
