has announced his shock retirement from after defending his immaculate record against Justin Gaethje.
Making a speech following his second-round victory in the, Khabib announced the news live to the cameras.
The 32-year-old was quick to thank his team but insisted he would not be returning to the UFC without his late father Abdulmanap by his side, following his passing in July after health complications caused by coronavirus.
After retaining his flawless record Khabib Nurmagomedov has now announced he is finished with UFC and will retire
<img id="i-ded69b330971c9ff" website height="641" width="962" alt="The UFC lightweight champion extended his unblemished record to 29 wins, zero defeats against Justin Gae
He was taken to hospital in Moscow in May, after coronavirus symptoms exacerbated an existing heart condition, with his passing understood to have deeply affected Khabib.He then gave his word to his mother that the next fight he took in the octagon would be his last.
The unbeaten star said in the immediate aftermath of his victory over Gaethje: ‘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.
‘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, DIGI-228 HYPER FETISH 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.
‘I know only one thing I want from UFC, you guys have to put me on No 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, because I deserve this.
‘UFC undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion, 13-0, 13 in UFC, 29 in all pro MMA career.I think I deserve it.
‘One more thing, I want to say thank you Lorenzo Fertitta, thank you Dana, Hunter, all guys. Thank you so much, and of course I don’t forget about Joe Silva who signed me here in UFC. Joe Silva, thank you. All this UFC team, everybody around the world, this whole pandemic stuff, they are doing great show.
Nurmagomedov let out a flood of emotion after his win, curling up into a ball and crying after earning his 29th career victory
The 32-year-old was visibly upset following his latest triumph in a poignant moment in the UFC octagon on Fight Island
The Dagestani was consoled by his team, including Javier Mendez (L) who has been a
‘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. I know a lot of things about you, take care of your parents, because one day, it’s going to happen something. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow, you never know.
‘Today is my last fight here in UFC.It was my father’s dream. Dustin and Conor are going to fight January, I choke them out, both of them. I’m not interested in this.’
Nurmagomedov then spoke in his mother tongue, Russian, to thank his fans back home.
‘Thanks to all my Russian speaking fans.I am just a simple guy from a small town in Dagestan. I remember in 2008 when I just started or in 2012 when I just signed with UFC many people did not believe it is possible for me.
‘Now google said that I am the most talked about person in the world.I just wanted to become a champion and dreamed about that with my father. I had no idea all that fame will be on my shoulders.
‘If you have parents, spend more time with them. I only have a mother now and I want to spend more time with her now.’
The lightweight champion made his announcement in the immediate aftermath of defending his crown against Justin Gaethje to extend his unblemished record to 29 wins and zero defeats at UFC 254.
Many fans and pundits had expected the Dagestani to face his toughest challenge yet in Gaethje, who had been riding a wave of momentum after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May.
Moreover, question marks remained over the 32-year-old’s frame of mind following the untimely passing of his father and greatest influence, Abdulmanap, who died of coronavirus earlier this year.
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Nurmagomedov set a frenetic pace in the SGA-116 First Experience At The Age Of 31 round and finally got his man in the second before taking the submission
The 32-year-old secured a second-round victory over American, putting his rival in a triangle choke and forcing the tap out
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