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It has been a difficult year for Nurmagomedov, whose father and coach Abdulmanap passed away this summer as a result of covid-19.
Abdulmanap not only trained his son, but was a leading figure for the entire Dagestan region who has been successful in MMA.
From time to time doubts arose as to whether Khabib would compete again, but the star decided to continue his career in hopes of fulfilling the father’s great dream: that the son would reach 30-0 in record and then retire.
Many viewed Saturday’s title match against American Justin Gaethje as the Russian’s toughest test yet, but after an exciting first round, Nurmagomedov cut short the process in the second and won by choke after 1.34. The victory was the 29th in a row on his impeccable record.
“No chance”
He immediately sank to the ground and began to cry. The opponent quickly came forward and hugged Nurmagomedov.
Shockingly shocked, the star removed her gloves in the victory interview and announced that she was resigning.
– This was my last game. There is no chance that I will go back into the cage without my father, he says and continues:
– When the UFC called and offered me the fight against Justin, I spoke with my mother and she didn’t want me to fight without dad, but I promised her that this would be my last fight, so now I intend to keep my word.
No interest in McGregor
He also sent an invitation to everyone to take care of their parents.
– Because you never know what might happen tomorrow.
Rivals Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have a match scheduled for January 23, but Nurmagomedov says he has no interest in the outcome of that match.
His dying wish was for the UFC to rank him number one on the “pound-for-pound list,” a world ranking that includes all fighters regardless of weight class. He is currently second behind light heavyweight Jon Jones.
It is not yet clear what will happen to the lightweight champion belt (70 kilos) that the Russian now vacates.
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