Khabib
Nurmagomedov’s retirement announcement came one fight sooner
than most of the mixed martial arts community expected.
The reigning lightweight champion laid his gloves down in the
Octagon following his second-round submission victory over Justin
Gaethje in the
UFC 254 headliner at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Nurmagomedov exits the sport with a 29-0 career mark; many thought
he would pursue one last bout to end at 30-0, but a promise the
Dagestani made to his mother before UFC 254 carried more weight
than that pursuit.
Nurmagomedov’s father and longtime coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov,
died at age 57 due to COVID-19 complications in July, which
made the champion’s journey to fight week that much more difficult
this time around.
“Today, I want to say, this was my last fight. No way am I going to
come here without my father,” Nurmagomedov said in the Octagon. “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.”
Prior to that announcement, potential opponents for Nurmagomedov’s
attempt at 30-0 included former UFC welterweight king Georges St.
Pierre as well as longtime rival Conor
McGregor, who is rumored to face Dustin
Poirier on Jan. 23. Nurmagomedov’s first meeting with McGregor
was the top-selling pay-per-view in promotion history, and the
animosity between the two spilled over into a post-fight melee at
the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas following their clash at UFC 229 in
October 2018.
On Saturday, McGregor issued a short statement via Twitter praising
Nurmagomedov for his performance and once again offering
condolences for the passing of his father.
“Good performance, [Khabib Nurmagomedov],” McGregor wrote. “Respect
and condolences on your father again also. To you and family. Yours
sincerely, the McGregors.”
Good performance @TeamKhabib.
I will carry on.
Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and
family.
Yours sincerely, The McGregors.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA)
October 24, 2020
Had McGregor defeated Poirier in their rematch it was believed that
he might have a chance at squaring off with his Dagestani foil
again, but that seems unlikely, especially considering Nurmagomedov
owns victories over both men.
“Today is my last fight here in UFC. It was my father’s dream,”
Nurmagomedov said. “Dustin and Conor are going to fight January. I
choke them out, both of them. I’m not interested in this.”
As part of his post-fight retirement statement, Nurmagomedov
requested that he be recognized as the promotion’s No. 1
pound-for-pound fighter. As it stands, he currently ranks No. 2
behind former light heavyweight king Jon Jones.
Nurmagomedov is already No. 1 in Sherdog.com’s pound-for-pound
poll.
“I know only one thing I want from UFC, you guys have to be me on
No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, because I deserve
this,” he said. “UFC undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion,
13-0, 13 in UFC, 29 in all pro MMA career. I think I deserve
it.”
Jones, however, wasn’t so willing to relinquish the top spot in the
UFC rankings – though he did seem to indicate he would do so
temporarily.
“Until I take that heavily crown, I grant you the spot. Enjoy
champ,” Jones wrote on Twitter.
Shortly thereafter, Jones seemed to reconsider that notion.
“15 world titles, numbers don’t lie,” he added. “I want to
congratulate Khabib for an outstanding career. I know he made his
father along with millions of fans around the world incredibly
proud today. May God continue to bless him on his journey.
“Definitely a powerful moment, but my logic is definitely not
clouded.”
Until I take that heavily crown, I grant you
the spot. Enjoy Champ— BONY (@JonnyBones)
October 24, 2020
15 world titles, numbers don’t lie.
— BONY (@JonnyBones)
October 24, 2020
I want to congratulate Khabib for an
outstanding career. I know he made his father along with millions
of fans around the world incredibly proud today. May God continue
to bless him on his journey.— BONY (@JonnyBones)
October 24, 2020
Definitely a powerful moment, but my logic
is definitely not clouded.— BONY (@JonnyBones)
October 24, 2020
Through 28 professional bouts, Jones has never truly tasted defeat.
His lone loss, a questionable disqualification against Matt Hamill
in 2010, came in a bout he was easily winning. The only blemish,
which came after a TKO of Daniel
Cormier at UFC 214, was overturned to a no contest due to a
failed drug test. After a dominant run at light heavyweight, Jones
is expected to move up to heavyweight in the near future after
vacating the 205-pound belt earlier this year. A date for his
heavyweight debut is currently unknown.