Introduction
Having retired in 2021, Khabib Nurmagomedov established himself as one of the best lightweight fighters in UFC history after holding its lightweight champion title longer than anybody else and bowing out with an undefeated record. Today we’re taking a look at The Eagle’s career, from his humble beginnings in Dagestan to his gauntlet of victories against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje in defense of his title.
By taking a look at the most celebrated careers in the UFC, we can also better appreciate the fighters in the industry right now and better anticipate who deserves one of these articles next. Knowing what to look for in legacy-making fighters can help when taking advantage of MMA betting odds, too.
Early Fights
After training throughout his childhood and early teens, Khabib benefited from the Soviet Army training of his father Abdulmanap, who was also a celebrated athlete. The elder Nurmagomedov trained his son in wrestling, judo, and combat sambo. Before starting in the MMA, Khabib would get into street fights and he named his father, Mike Tyson, and Muhammad Ali as his fighting inspiration.
He debuted in MMA in September 2008 and became a winner of the Atrium Cup by October. By 2011, he had a 16-0 win record in Russian and Ukrainian MMA circuits, which is where the UFC found him.
After Khabib demonstrated his ability to grapple and throw opponents in a 2013 bout against Pat Healy, an excited Dana White compared Khabib to Matt Hughes and accurately predicted that “we’re probably going to do big things with this kid.”
Becoming Lightweight Champion
The road to becoming the UFC lightweight champion was fraught with complications and disruptions. After further proving himself between 2013 and 2017, things were lined up for a 2018 shot at the champion title. Having faced Tony Ferguson before, a fourth bout between the two was scheduled but it fell through after Ferguson suffered a knee injury.
Max Holloway stepped in but NYSAC pulled him out after weight-cutting concerns. Other alternatives, like Anthony Pettis and Paul Felder, were also passed over. This led Al Iaquinta to take the spot, where he lost to Khabib via unanimous decision.
McGregor, Poirier, Gaethje
Khabib’s lightweight champion celebrations were short-lived as one of the most hyped fighters in the game rounded the corner. Conor McGregor, hungry after his fights with Nate Diaz and Floyd Mayweather, set his sights on getting the lightweight championship back.
The October 2018 fight was bought more than any other pay-per-view fight at the time and many still look back at it today as an example of how good submission tactics can pacify an explosive fist-fighter like McGregor after Khabib overcame him in the fourth round. McGregor won the third round against him, marking Khabib’s first-round loss in the UFC. Khabib’s title was safe and he established a 27-0 win record, the longest streak at the time.
About a year later, in September 2019, Khabib was called to defend the lightweight champion title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. The fight went for three rounds, coming to an end when Khabib made Poirier submit with a rear-naked chokehold.
Khabib’s next title defense was scheduled for UFC 249, in April of 2020, but delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic saw Tony Ferguson lose to Justin Gaethje in the meantime. This meant Nurmagomedov faced Gaethje instead. This happened at UFC 254, in October of 2020. Khabib won through technical submission in what would be his last fight.
Retirement
Before Khabib’s fight with Gaethje, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died in July of 2020 from COVID-19 complications. Having been alongside him every step of his career, Khabib’s mother didn’t want her son to continue with the UFC without him.
After bowing out with an impressive undefeated record, Nurmagomedov bought his own MMA promotion in Russia, the Eagle Fighting Championship, so that he can continue to contribute to MMA closer to home.