Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a Russian former mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, having retired with an undefeated record of 29 wins and no losses. He was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion ever, having held the title from April 2018 to March 2021. He was also the first Muslim to win a UFC title and the most-followed Russian on Instagram.

In this article, we will explore the life and career of Khabib Nurmagomedov, from his humble beginnings in Dagestan to his dominant performances in the octagon. We will also look at some of his most memorable fights, his achievements and awards, his controversies and challenges, and his legacy and impact on the sport and the world.

Early life and background

Khabib Nurmagomedov was born on September 20, 1988, in the village of Sildi in the Tsumadinsky District of the Dagestan ASSR, an autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. He belongs to the Avar ethnic group, one of the largest in Dagestan. He has an older brother, Magomed, and a younger sister, Amina.

His father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, was a decorated wrestler and sambo coach who trained many champions in Dagestan. He introduced Khabib to martial arts at an early age, making him wrestle a bear cub when he was nine years old. He also taught him combat sambo, judo and wrestling at their home gym.

Khabib started competing in combat sambo as a teenager and won two World Championships in 2009 and 2010. He also excelled in judo and pankration, earning various titles and medals. He turned professional in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2008 and won his first 16 fights, mostly by submission or knockout.

Rise to stardom

In 2012, Khabib signed with the UFC, the largest and most prestigious MMA promotion in the world. He made his debut against Kamal Shalorus at UFC on FX 1 and won by submission in the third round. He then went on a tear through the lightweight division, defeating notable opponents such as Gleison Tibau, Rafael dos Anjos, Edson Barboza and Al Iaquinta.

In 2018, Khabib faced Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 223. However, Ferguson pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Iaquinta. Khabib dominated Iaquinta for five rounds and won by unanimous decision to become the undisputed champion.

Later that year, Khabib defended his title against Conor McGregor, one of the biggest stars and trash talkers in MMA history. The fight was highly anticipated and hyped up by both fighters and fans. Khabib proved his superiority by mauling McGregor for four rounds before submitting him with a neck crank. However, the fight was marred by a post-fight brawl that erupted between both camps, resulting in fines and suspensions for both fighters.

Legacy and retirement

Khabib successfully defended his title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Both fights ended with Khabib submitting his opponents with rear-naked chokes in the second or third round.

After defeating Gaethje at UFC 254, Khabib announced his retirement from MMA, citing his promise to his mother not to fight without his father, who had passed away earlier that year due to complications from COVID-19. He also said that he had nothing left to prove in the sport and that he wanted to focus on his family and other projects.

Khabib retired with an impeccable record of 29 wins and no losses, making him one of the few fighters to retire undefeated. He was ranked #1 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings at the time of his retirement until being removed following his title vacation in March 2021. He was also ranked #1 in the lightweight division by various media outlets and experts.

Khabib is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters of all time, especially in the lightweight division. He is known for his dominant wrestling, grappling and ground-and-pound skills, as well as his relentless pressure, cardio and mental toughness. He has defeated some of the best fighters in MMA history, such as McGregor, Poirier, Gaethje, dos Anjos and Barboza.

Khabib has also received various awards and honors for his achievements in MMA. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on June 30, 2022. He also won the Ring magazine Fighter of the Year (2018), the ESPN MMA Fighter of the Year (2019 and 2020), the World MMA Awards Fighter of the Year (2016 and 2018), and the BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year (2020).

Controversies and challenges

Despite his success and popularity, Khabib has also faced some controversies and challenges in his career and personal life. He has been involved in several altercations and disputes with other fighters, such as McGregor, Ferguson, Artem Lobov and Daniel Cormier. He has also been criticized for his views on women, homosexuality and politics.

Khabib has also struggled with injuries and weight cuts throughout his career. He has pulled out of several fights due to broken ribs, knee surgery, back problems and health issues. He has also missed weight twice in his UFC career, once against Abel Trujillo and once against Darrell Horcher.

Khabib has also faced some personal tragedies and losses in his life. He lost his father and coach, Abdulmanap, in 2020 due to COVID-19. He also lost his cousin and teammate, Umar Nurmagomedov, in 2021 due to a heart attack.

Impact and influence

Khabib has had a huge impact and influence on the sport of MMA and the world at large. He has inspired millions of fans and fighters around the world with his skills, work ethic, humility and faith. He has also raised awareness and support for various causes and charities, such as water wells in Africa, orphans in Dagestan and refugees in Syria.

Khabib has also been a role model and a leader for his people in Dagestan and Russia. He has represented his culture and religion with pride and dignity. He has also promoted peace and unity among different ethnic groups and faiths in his region.

Khabib has also been a pioneer and a trailblazer for Muslim fighters in MMA. He is the first Muslim to win a UFC title and one of the most prominent Muslim athletes in the world. He has shown respect and tolerance for other beliefs while staying true to his own. He has also encouraged other Muslim fighters to pursue their dreams and goals in MMA.

Conclusion

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a legend of MMA who soared above the rest with his unparalleled skills, achievements and character. He is one of the greatest fighters of all time who retired undefeated as the UFC Lightweight Champion. He is also one of the most influential and impactful figures in sports history who transcended MMA with his culture, religion and personality.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is the Eagle who flew high and left a lasting legacy on the sport and the world. 🦅.

(1) Khabib Nurmagomedov - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabib_Nurmagomedov.

(2) Khabib Nurmagomedov | UFC. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/khabib-nurmagomedov.

(3) Khabib "The Eagle" Nurmagomedov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos .... https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Khabib-Nurmagomedov-56035.

(4) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/khabib-nurmagomedov-of-russia-poses-on-the-scale-during-the-news-photo/1166242977.