Khabib Nurmagomedov, a retired mixed martial artist and coach, has been relatively quiet since stepping away from the sport to focus on his family. However, the MMA world was sent into a frenzy when he made a big announcement that caught everyone’s attention.
Ever since his early days in the sport, Khabib has enjoyed immense support from the Russian and Muslim MMA fanbase. However, it was his dominant victory over Conor McGregor in 2018 that elevated him to global superstardom. Before his fight with McGregor, Khabib was already a highly regarded fighter in the sport. But his triumph over the brash Irishman cemented his place as one of the most popular and respected fighters in the world.
The fight was not without controversy, however, as a post-fight brawl erupted between Khabib’s team and McGregor’s entourage. This resulted in Khabib being stripped of his lightweight title and facing a suspension and hefty fine from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Despite the controversy surrounding the McGregor fight, Khabib continued to dominate in the Octagon, earning impressive victories over Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, among others. He eventually announced his retirement from the sport in October 2020 with an unbeaten record of 29-0.
Since then, Khabib has been relatively quiet, only occasionally making headlines for his various business ventures and coaching endeavors. However, with his recent announcement, it seems that he is ready to make a splash once again in the MMA world. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting further details about what the future holds for ‘The Eagle.’
Khabib took to social media to share a video of himself running on a treadmill, which he accompanied with the message that he is preparing for something big in July. Although the retired fighter didn’t disclose any further information about the event, fans have been quick to speculate about what it could be.
Many fans have been hoping for Khabib’s return to mixed martial arts since he retired in October 2020, with a perfect record of 29-0. Although he put an end to his MMA career, he has maintained a strong presence in the sport, and many believe he could still have a lot to offer.
While Khabib himself has ruled out a return to MMA, fans have been speculating that he could be returning to combat sports in some form. Although it’s still unclear what he has in store for his fans in July, the prospect of seeing Khabib back in action is certainly exciting.
If Khabib does return to combat sports, it would be his first time back in action since his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, where he announced his retirement from MMA. Despite the added pressure of knowing it would be his last fight, Khabib delivered a dominant performance and proved once again why he is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement was not just a personal decision but also a promise he made to his mother after the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. In an emotional speech after his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Khabib revealed that he had promised his mother that he would not continue fighting without his father by his side. Abdulmanap, a legendary MMA coach and father figure to Khabib, had passed away due to complications from COVID-19 just months before the fight.
Khabib’s retirement was not just a decision to honor his father’s legacy but also a fulfillment of his promise to his mother. The bond between Khabib and his father was special and it was evident in the way Abdulmanap had groomed his son into a world champion fighter. He had trained Khabib from a young age and instilled in him the values of hard work, discipline, and respect.
Even though Khabib’s decision to retire left many fans disappointed, it was a testament to his character and integrity. He chose to put his family and his promise to his mother above his career and fame, showing that there are more important things in life than just winning fights.
Now, as Khabib prepares for something big in July, fans are left wondering what the future holds for the legendary fighter. While he has shut down rumors of a potential MMA return, many are still hoping to see him compete in some form of combat sports. Whether or not he chooses to return to the octagon, Khabib’s legacy as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history is already secured, and his decision to retire on his own terms has only added to his already legendary status.