When Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gatehje at UFC 254, fans were naturally excited to see their favorite fighter’s win streak move up to 29. But the legendary fighter had already made a promise to his mom to retire from this brutal sport. With Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov no longer around, the ambition to reach 30-0 had also weakened.
Khabib’s father was the most influential figure behind the Eagle’s venture into the world of MMA. Abdulmanap trained his son and a few others from a very young age. These students soon began taking part in different combat tournaments and amateur fights. Finally, Khabib got the big call from UFC.
The lightweight Goat had a steady rise through the rankings as he dominated his opponents one by one and his father was there to witness it. The last fight Abdulmanap attended saw Khabib beating Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi by putting on a dominant show. After this fight, Covid shook the world and Khabib’s father sadly passed away after contracting the infection.
George Saint Pierre vs Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of the most anticipated matches in MMA history with even Abdulmanap himself wanting to see the matchup. After the Justin Gaethje fight, the whole division seemed cleared out and so big names were getting thrown around as potential opponents for Khabib.
But the undefeated lightweight decided to retire from competing and instead started coaching his teammates. Islam Makhachev captured the same lightweight title that his partner had abandoned some time ago. Usman Nurmagomedov went on to beat Patricky Pitbull Freire for the Bellator Lightweight title.
Makhachev has a huge fight coming up for him against featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski in February where the pair will compete for the pound-for-pound number one rank. There are rumors suggesting that Khabib might not corner his childhood friend for that fight also.
It is necessary to note that this is a developing story and there is no concrete information still available.
