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Khabib Nurmagomedov further solidified his status as arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time with the victory over Justin Gaethje in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
The undefeated UFC lightweight champion surprised fans by announcing his retirement during his post-fight interview inside the Octagon.
The 32-year-old Khabib increased his impeccable record to 29-0 with a triangle submission from Gaethje in the second round, but now he wants to get away from the spotlight.
“It was my last fight,” Khabib confirmed. “There’s no way I’m going to come here without my father. It was the first time after what happened with my father, when the UFC called me about (fighting) Justin, I spoke with my mother for three days.
“She didn’t want me to fight without my father, but I promised her it would be my last fight, and if I give her my word, I have to continue this. It was my last fight here.”
He added: “I only know one thing I want from the UFC: On Tuesday, you guys have to put me in the pound for pound number one fighter in the world because I deserve it.
“UFC UFC lightweight champion, 13-0, 13 in UFC, 29 in my professional MMA career. I think I deserve it.”
A sports superstar who was firmly behind Khabib on Saturday night is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Before the fight, the Juventus and Portugal forward was asked who was going to win the main event at UFC 254.
“Of course, of course, Khabib is going to win,” he said on Instagram. “My brother!”
Cristiano’s prediction came true.
And after Khabib’s final victory, Ronaldo sent the following message to the UFC star through his Instagram story: “Congratulations bro! Your father is proud of you. “
Beautiful things.
Ronaldo can empathize with the pain Khabib has experienced this year due to the untimely death of his father.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who was also Khabib’s coach, passed away in July at age 57 from complications caused by Covid-19.
Ronaldo’s father, José Dinis Aveiro, died of liver failure at age 52 in 2005, when the footballer was just 20 years old and practicing for Manchester United.
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