Khabib Nurmagomedov has announced his retirement from the octagon following his second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
The Russian fighter retained his lightweight belt and extended his perfect UFC record to 29-0 after forcing Gaethje into submission with a triangle choke on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi.
It was Khabib's first fight since the death of his father Abdulmanap earlier this year, and the 32-year-old says he has promised his mother that the win over Gaethje will be his first and last fight without his father.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1320107607596695556
“Thank you to these guys with me, with my father more than 10 years," an emotional Khabib said.
"Coach Jav I love him so much. All my team. Thank you,” said the unbeaten star.
“Today I want to say this is my last fight. No way am I coming here without my father. When UFC comes to me about Justin I spoke with my mother for three days.
“She didn’t want me to fight without father and I said this is my last fight – and I have given her my word.
“Thank you so much Justin. I know you are great, I know how you take care of your people. Be close with your parents, because you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. Thank you coach, thank you guys. Today is my last fight in the UFC.
“It was my father’s dream. Dustin (Poirier) and Conor (McGregor) will fight in January, I have choked both out, I am not interested in this.”
Khabib won eight of his 29 fights by knockout, and 11 by submission, and famously defeated Conor McGregor by submission in 2018.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1320112348955197440
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