Khabib Nurmagomedov News
Conor McGregor re-enters UFC pound for pound rankings following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s official retirement
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor has re-entered the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following Khabib Nurmagomedov making his retirement official. The former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov announced last week that he was stepping away from the Octagon for good, six months after first suggesting he would retire following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. With Nurmagomedov stepping away from MMA, he not only vacated the UFC lightweight title but also his spot atop the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. And with an open spot in the top-15 now that Nurmagomedov is out, McGregor — his longtime rival in the sport — is coincidentally the fighter who replaced him. Take a look at the latest UFC pound-for-pound rankings (via Jed I. Goodman).
Khabib Nurmagomedov confirms he retired because of his love for his mother
Adam Martin - March 21, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed that he retired from MMA because of his love and respect for his mother. Nurmagomedov officially announced this week that he was retiring from MMA at the height of his career. At 29-0 and at age 32, Nurmagomedov is very much in his prime and was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world before he made the announcement official and he hung up his gloves. For many fans, the decision to walk away is a surprising one considering he’s still one of the best fighters in the sport and there is plenty of money to be made. But for Nurmagomedov, family trumps all, and that’s why he retired from MMA.
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to be MMA coach of the year, says Luke Rockhold: "He wants to be the next great thing"
Adam Martin - March 21, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to be the MMA coach of the year, says his longtime teammate Luke Rockhold. Nurmagomedov announced his official retirement from the UFC this week, finishing his MMA career with a perfect 29-0 record. While a return down the road can’t be ruled out, at least for the time being we have seen the last of “The Eagle” inside the Octagon. But just because he doesn’t plan on competing anymore doesn’t mean he won’t stick around the game. Instead of fighting, Nurmagomedov plans on putting his focus on coaching instead.
Conor McGregor continues to take jabs at recently retired rival Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor continued to take jabs at recently-retired rival Khabib Nurmagomedov with some more trash-talk on social media. McGregor and Nurmagomedov were bitter rivals for years, and the hope was the two would one day have their big-money rematch inside the Octagon. However, after McGregor got knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, it essentially eliminated any thoughts of the rematch. Nurmagomedov officially retired from MMA this week, and of course, McGregor was there to take a shot at him, telling the Russian he’s the one who made him in MMA. On Sunday, McGregor continued to take shots at Nurmagoedov, this time for his lack of power.
Tony Ferguson says he accepts the "verbal tap" from Khabib Nurmagomedov: "29-1 it is"
Christopher Taylor - March 21, 2021
Tony Ferguson is clearly not ready to let go of his long standing rivalry with recently retired UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘The Eagle’ recently made his retirement from fighting official, this after Dana White and the UFC finally threw in the towel following multiple failed attempts to persuade Khabib into making a comeback.
Conor McGregor issues statement following the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov: "Never forget who came in the game and made ye"
Adam D Martin - March 19, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor has issued a statement following the retirement of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov officially announced on Thursday night that he is retiring from mixed martial arts, nearly six months after he first made the proclamation following his submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. UFC president Dana White said that he would do his best to convince “The Eagle” to fly again, but it didn’t work. Instead, Nurmagomedov has officially stepped away from the sport at the height of his career.
Max Holloway tells Khabib Nurmagomedov he wants to "visit Dagestan"
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Max Holloway has told Khabib Nurmagomedov he wants to visit Dagestan one day soon after the latter confirmed his retirement. The MMA world has known it to be true for quite some time, but now it seems to be official that Khabib Nurmagomedov is staying retired. That’ll come as quite the blow for both his fans and for fans of the sport in, general, not to mention some fighters on the UFC roster.
Pros react to Khabib Nurmagomedov retirement, Chandler vs. Oliveira at UFC 262
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Social media was full of fighter reactions following news that Khabib Nurmagomedov has officially retired and Chandler vs. Oliveira is set for UFC 262. Earlier this evening UFC President Dana White confirmed that despite his best efforts he could not convince ‘The Eagle’ to return for one last fight.
Dana White makes it official, Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired 29-0
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
UFC President Dana White made the official announcement this evening that Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired from MMA with a record of 29-0. Nurmagomedov had announced his retirement from fighting immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Georges St-Pierre believes the UFC doesn't want Khabib Nurmagomedov to go out on top, 'they want a guy to beat him'
Drake Riggs - March 18, 2021
Georges St-Pierre is one of the few fighters in MMA to go out atop the peak of the mountain. Khabib Nurmagomedov recently did the same. Despite the known interest that Nurmagomedov had to reach 30-0 in his career with a victory over the legendary St-Pierre, “The Eagle” instead called it quits at 29-0. With all things considered, the iconic Canada native believes he knows why UFC President Dana White is so reluctant to let Nurmagomedov ride off into the sunset.
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of "29-and-Chandler"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of “29-and-Chandler.” Chandler is one of the top lightweights in the world who is currently vying for a chance to win the UFC’s 155lbs belt, one that is currently held by Nurmagomedov. However, the Russian has said for the last six months now that he is planning on hanging up his gloves. That hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from trying his best to convince Nurmagomedov to fight again, but so far we haven’t heard one way or another his plans.
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares photo after meeting with Lorenzo Fertitta, tells Dana White to "send me location"
Adam D Martin - March 17, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov had a meeting with Lorenzo Fertitta, later telling Dana White to “send me location.” Nurmagomedov is currently in a state of quasi-retirement. Following his submission over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October, “The Eagle” said that he was going to hang up his gloves after promising his family that he wouldn’t fight anymore. However, UFC president Dana White has been trying for the last six months to get Nurmagomedov to fight again, but to no avail. However, Nurmagomedov hasn’t given up his lightweight belt yet and he continues to make hints that he could fight again, such as meeting up with White in Las Vegas, though most signs are still pointing to him soon hanging up his gloves for good.
Rafael dos Anjos open to fighting Islam Makhachev, with one condition
Adam Martin - March 10, 2021
UFC lightweight Rafael dos Anjos says he is open to fighting Islam Makhachev but there is a special condition that needs to be met first. Dos Anjos and Makhachev were supposed to meet back at UFC 254 in October and then at a UFC Fight Night card in November, but the fight was postponed and eventually scratched. Dos Anjos instead fought Paul Felder and beat him by split decision, while Makhachev returned to the Octagon this past Saturday at UFC 259, defeating Drew Dober via third-round submission.
Max Holloway laments missed Khabib Nurmagomedov fight: "I just wanted to fight him"
Tom Taylor - March 5, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is still disappointed he didn’t have the chance to battle unbeaten lightweight star Khabib Nurmagomedov. Holloway was briefly slated to fight Nurmagomedov for the vacant lightweight title in 2014, but was pulled from the matchup at the eleventh hour by the New York State Athletic Commission.
Dana White: "There's still a chance" Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight again
Tom Taylor - March 5, 2021
UFC President Dana White believes “there’s still a chance” Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight again before all is said and done. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion, announced his retirement after he submitted Justin Gaethje in October.
Dustin Poirier discusses the regret that "haunts" him from Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Tom Taylor - March 2, 2021
Dustin Poirier is haunted by a crucial error he made in his 2019 lightweight title fight with unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov. Poirier challenged Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt in the main event of UFC 242, and ultimately came up short via submission. However, at one point in the early phases of the match, he threatened the champion with a tight guillotine choke.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Islam Makhachev will "run" the lightweight division by the end of the year
Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes no one will beat his pupil, Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is the main training partner of Nurmagomedov and many call him his protégé. Since “The Eagle” retired, he also passed along the torch to Makhachev who many inside AKA believe is destined to be a future champion. Although he is still ranked outside the top-10, Nurmagomedov believes his fellow Dagestani native will be the champion by the end of 2021.
Khabib Nurmagomedov helps 50 drug addicts in Dagestan, including covering costs for treatment and motivational speaking
Adam D Martin - February 28, 2021
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov helped 50 drug addicts in Dagestan, including covering costs for their treatment and motivational speaking. MMA fighter Magomedzaid Zaidov, who is a friend of Nurmagomedov, recently spoke to Sport Express and revealed in the interview that Nurmagomedov is helping drug addicts in Dagestan. In the interview, Zaidov revealed that he runs the Reshenie rehabilitation center in Dagestan, and he explained how much of a big help Nurmagomedov has been.