Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 19:48 WIB

Khabib Nurmagomedov: Promised his mother he would retire

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IO – Khabib Nurmagomadov will no longer fight. He has announced his resignation from the UFC octagon after defeating Justin Gaehtje in the second round. Khabib has a brilliant record, winning 29 unbeaten times.

His father and coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed away in July due to complications caused by COVID-19.

As is common with many children in Dagestan, Khabib began wrestling from an early age: he started at the age of eight under the tutelage of his father. A decorated athlete and a veteran of the Army, his father had also wrestled from an early age, before undergoing training in judo and sambo in the military. Khabib’s training as a child included wrestling a bear when he was nine years old.

“There’s no way I’m going to be back without my father. I spoke to my mother. She don’t know how I fight without father, but I promised it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow it.”

”Thank you to these guys with me, with my father more than 10 years. Coach Jav I love him so much. All my team. Thank you.

“Today I want to say this is my last fight. No way am I coming here without my father. When UFC comes to me about Justin I spoke with my mother for three days.

“She didn’t want me to fight without father and I said this is my last fight – and I have given her my word. 

“Thank you so much Justin. I know you are great, I know how you take care of your people. Be close with your parents, because you

never know what is going to happen tomorrow. Thank you coach, thank you guys. Today is my last fight in the UFC.

“It was my father’s dream. Justin and Conor (McGregor) will fight in January, I have choked both out, I am not interested in this.”

Nurmagomedov is the first Muslim to win a UFC title. A two-time Combat Sambo World Champion, he is trained in sambo, judo, and wrestling. His style of grappling has made him one of the most dominant athletes in the history of MMA. As of October 2020, Nurmagomedov is the most-followed Russian celebrity on Instagram, with more than 24 million followers.

You’ll be missed, Khabib. The Greatest athlete will be never forgotten. (rp)

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