Khabib Nurmagomedov fully intended to keep fighting, until tragedy struck.
Back in 2020, Nurmagomedov was the UFC lightweight champion, and scheduled to finally fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. But the fight was not to be as the COVID pandemic hit the world. The fight was cancelled and tragically, a few months later, Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, passed away at the age of 57 due to complications from the coronavirus.
Understandably, Abdulmanap’s passing hit Nurmagomedov hard and it was an open question whether or not Nurmagomedov would even fight again after losing his father and coach. And in a recent media appearance in Chicago (h/t S Khalil on YouTube), “The Eagle” delved into that time in his life.
“It was not only mother, it was all situation that happened, everything coming together,” Nurmagomedov said. “I saw a lot of rumors why I retired, because of that, because of this, and I think if my father still alive, he would make me fight a little bit longer, because I just turned 32 when I finished.
“But he passed away and it was a very honest and good conversation with [my mother]. It’s hard to explain. Everything happened so fast. Everything was happening so fast, even when father passed away, I don’t even have time to think what I have to do because they make interim title, Justin Gaethje-Tony Ferguson, father passed away, and UFC told me, ‘We’re going to give you one month off. After one month, come back to us with what you’re going to do.’
“It was a very difficult situation. From one side, it was all world waiting for this fight. On the other side, I had this deal, what happened with me and father and mother on the other side, and I chose what mother wished. ”
Ultimately, Nurmagomedov fought just once more, defending his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 that October. After his victory, Nurmagomedov collapsed in the cage, overcome with emotion, and announced his exit from MMA. And looking back on it, he still struggles to explain how he was able to perform despite the circumstances.
“It was not easy, to be honest,” Nurmagomedov said. “It was not easy. It was very, very difficult, but I survived. Like father told me long time ago, you know how people make diamonds? It’s under very high pressure. You need very high pressure to make diamonds. And it was very high pressure. It was very deep pressure. But it is what it is. I think I did not quit.”
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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Khabib really is one of the few guys in recent years to carry this sort of weight.
It’s always the ones closest to you.
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