Khabib Considered 2014 Retirement, Father Convinced Him Otherwise

Khabib Nurmagomedov could have retired in 2014 before he became the UFC Lightweight Champion due to injury issues. 

Khabib retired in 2020 after beating Justin Gaethje to remain undefeated with a 29-0 record. He capped off his career with major wins against Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. His legacy has made him one of the best UFC fighters ever. He has now transitioned into a trainer, helping Islam Makhachev retain his UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 302 against Poirier by being in his corner.

While there were suggestions that Khabib retired too early since he was still at his peak, his father’s passing meant he promised his mother he would not fight again. But looking back, Khabib could have left the sport earlier, only for his father to change his mind. The Russian recalled beating Rafael dos Anjos only to then break his leg, which kept him out from 2014-16. Khabib admitted that was one of the most challenging aspects of his career. 

Khabib On Retirement

“It was hardest time in my career, like professional career, because I remember when I dominated Rafael dos Anjos (and) after that I broke my leg. I had ACL surgery. After that, dos Anjos became champion, and I tried to come back. I tore one more time ACL and one more surgery. I tried to come back.

“[And] I broke my ribs. After that I tried to comeback. I had surgery on my back. It was a very hard time, and I remember I was talking with my father, ‘Maybe this is a signal from God you have to stop.’ He told me, ‘You cannot give up. When you have some test you have to show your toughness if you’re tough. If you’re not tough you just can give up, and that’s it,” Khabib said 

The decision to carry on was based on his father’s words that Khabib had to leave himself since his mission was to have a UFC champion regardless. The hard work ultimately paid off, with Khabib being regarded as up there with the likes of Jon Jones. His cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, is now considered one of the leading bantamweights out there.

Khabib’s Influence

He is 6-0, having beaten Cory Sandhagen in his last fight. He is now expected to get his title shot against the winner of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley defends his bantamweight belt for the second time at UFC 306 from The Sphere, which will host the first-ever combat sports event. While the family name lives on, things could have been so different. 

“I remember he told me, ‘If you want to go, you have to go. If not, anyways, I’m going to have a UFC champion. With you or without you, I’m going to make someone a UFC champion.’ This gave me like crazy energy. Like if my father wants, who has to do this if I’m not? And this gave me crazy energy. I just keep going, keep going. I just come back and after that, what happened? This is all history,” Nurmagomedov added

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