New Delhi: Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov retired four years ago, his 29-0 record is unmatchable, and no UFC fighter is close to his record. Khabib started his mix martial career when he was just 9 years old, he was coached by his father in the initial days and his father was always seen in his corner advising him moves and strikes in the fight.
Khabib was seen wrestling with a bear when he was just 10 years old. Khabib was just wrestling in his early days but after watching a video of mix martial arts he was very inspired and started training mix martial arts. Khabib started his amateur career with a sport called ‘Sambo’, this sport covered four skills- striking, wrestling, groundwork, and submissions. Sambo is the reason why Khabib was great on the ground and pound in the UFC.
Khabib was 9-0 in his Sambo career and what is the most common thing in his nine victories is his father who every time was in his corner to support him. But when Khabib signed with the top MMA organisation Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) his father’s visa was denied everytime to entered the USA.
The Eagle fought in the lightweight division in the UFC, he proved himself in the UFC in his initial bouts as he won four of his first six bouts by unanimous decision and proved that he could fight the full 15 minutes in the fight.
In November 2016, UFC 205 was announced at Madison Square Garden and this was the first UFC event in New York City UFC President Dana White said ‘this will be the biggest and the baddest card in UFC history’. The main event on the card was Conor McGregor vs Eddie Alverez for the UFC Lightweight Championship and Khabib was fighting with Michael Johnson and crushed him in the bout winning by submission via Kimura in the second round itself.
The post-match speech changed the career of Khabib as he announced to fight with UFC megastar Conor McGregor. He said “Irish only six million. Russia 150 million,” Nurmagomedov said. “I want to fight with your chicken because this is the number one easy fight in the lightweight division.” He was referring to McGregor as chicken.
Conor won the lightweight title on the same night when Khabib defeated Johnson and never fight for nearly two years whereas Khabib was finishing fighters like puppets and became the No. 1 contender for the Lightweight title.
Khabib got his title shot in April 2018 and this was also the first time Khabib was fighting in a 5-round fight. Finally, The Eagle’s dream came true as he beat Al Iaquinta for the LW title.
Khabib’s arch-rival Conor came back in UFC in 2018 and asked for his title shot which he never lost. The biggest match in UFC history was set for October 2018 Conor vs Khabib. Lots of emotions and passion were at stake before this high-stakes bout. Khabib dominated the fight and won the biggest match of his career defeating Conor in the fourth round via submission.
Why did Khabib end his career early?
In July 2020 the news came as Khabib’s father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died. Khabib was devasted by his father’s loss as he was very close to his father. His next fight was set with Justin Gaethje before this tragic incident. Khabib defeated Gaethje in his 29th fight and was on his knees after the win, he was crying in the cage and his emotions were high from his father’s passing. Khabib announced this was his last fight and said “There’s no way I’m going to come here without my father.” He ended his UFC career with a dashing 29-0 record, he just lost one round in his 60 rounds which he fought in the UFC.
There is no one close to Khabib’s 29-0 win streak, he dedicated his life in just training and performing in the UFC which made him the GOAT.
Khabib Nurmagomedov finished his career with an unmatchable record of 29-0, he is considered the Greatest of all time (GOAT) in the UFC. let’s look at the reasons that made him GOAT. UFC Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
