08 January 2023 , 09:37
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Legendary former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will completely step back from the sport of MMA over two years after his shock retirement from fighting.
The unbeaten Russian was one of the greatest fighters of all time, but after his father passed in 2020 he took the decision to hang up his gloves and spend more time with his family. However, his work as a cornerman for world champions like Islam Makhachev and his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov coupled with his duties as promoter for Eagle FC saw him travelling for much of the past two years.
And he has shared a post to Instagram showing a Russian news report, seemingly confirming that he is done with MMA altogether, stepping back from his coaching role and his promotion Eagle FC. It comes after he made a post thanking his fighting "brothers" to celebrate the end of a successful 2022.
The legendary fighter last night shared a post from an Instagram fan page called za.khabiba which was captioned in both Russian and English: "Khabib is leaving the MMA industry. It about coaching and everything else related to MMA. The reason is Khabib's desire to devote more time to his family."
"Concluding the year," Nurmagomedov wrote in his cryptic post two days ago, which was translated from Russian. "The year certainly turned out to be a very busy and successful. Take care of yourself brothers I hope my decision is only for the best, a big hug to you all. Thank you, you were a big reason for my success in sports."
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The former fighter went 29-0 in MMA, retiring after just his third UFC title defence against Justin Gaethje in October 2020 upon the request of his mother. She had been keen for him to hang up the gloves after his father passed earlier in the year due to heart complications, and he obliged her with a shock announcement that he was quitting the sport.
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"Today I want to say this is my last fight," he said after submitting Gaethje. "No way am I coming here without my father. When UFC called me about Justin I spoke with my mother for three days. She didn't want me to fight without father and I said this is my last fight - and I have given her my word.
"Thank you so much Justin. I know you are great, I know how you take care of your people. Be close with your parents, because you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. Thank you coach, thank you guys. Today is my last fight in the UFC. It was my father's dream."
However, he has stuck around the sport, continuing to train and corner a number of fighters. He was in the corner when Islam Makhachev won the lightweight belt from Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, and also coached a number of Usman Nurmagomedov's wins on route to the Bellator lightweight title.