Khabib Nurmagomedov News
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Justin Gaethje gave up at UFC 254: "I don’t think that I won this fight physically, but rather mentally"
Chris Taylor - February 20, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Justin Gaethje “gave up” in their lightweight title unification bout this past October in Abu Dhabi. Gaethje and Nurmagomedov squared off in the main event of UFC 254, in what many believed would be the toughest fight of Khabib’s career.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals battle with mumps prior to UFC 254, shares gnarly photo of swollen face
Chris Taylor - February 20, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has not competed since scoring a submission victory over Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254. The impressive win served as Khabib’s 29th in a row and third consecutive defense of his UFC lightweight title. Immediately after putting Gaethje to sleep, Nurmagomedov proceeded to announce his retirement from mixed martial arts. The undefeated Russian cited the recent death of his Father as his reason for walking away.
Khabib Nurmagomedov on Tony Ferguson: "I swear that I never considered him an elite lightweight"
Adam Martin - February 19, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said in a recent interview that he doesn’t believe Tony Ferguson was ever an elite lightweight. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson were rivals for the better part of five years, but despite the UFC booking them to fight five times, the bout never came to fruition for various reasons. With Ferguson having recently lost back-to-back fights to Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, and with Nurmagomedov likely set to retire from MMA, it seems like this is a dream fight that will never come to fruition. Though some fans still swear that Ferguson has the skill set that could be the kryptonite for Nurmagomedov, the champ has moved on.
Beneil Dariush explains why he's the one to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush explained why he’s the one to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov, admitting “The Eagle” is his dream fight. Dariush has been in the UFC since 2014 but he has really come into his own over the last few years. He’s currently riding a six-fight win streak and most recently defeated top-10 ranked Diego Ferreira via split decision at UFC Vegas 18. Dariush was vocal after the fight about his desire to get matched up with a top-five opponent. For Dariush, it’s all about testing himself against the very best in the world. That’s why if he had his choice, he’d fight Nurmagomedov.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why school should come before sports: "Education must be the priority"
Adam Martin - February 10, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov explained why school should come before sports, saying that “education must be the priority.” The UFC lightweight champion spoke to reporters in Russia following the recent EFC event in Dagestan. Nurmagomedov was asked about a recent Instagram post he made where he said parents need to raise their kids the right way. The legend then expanded on those comments with the media and spoke about the importance of education. One of the things that the Russian is concerned with is that too many young people are putting aside their studies. In Nurmagomedov’s estimation, going to school needs to come before anything, even sports.
Drew Dober believes most of Islam Makhachev's 'hype comes from Khabib Nurmagomedov'
Drake Riggs - February 9, 2021
Islam Makhachev is finally set to make his highly anticipated return. Welcoming him back to the Octagon will be the streaking Nebraskan, Drew Dober. At 18-1 and training the majority of his career alongside the undefeated lightweight king, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has garnered a lot of attention in his own right. However, Dober believes that can mostly be attributed to his connection with “The Eagle.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals his all-time top fantasy fight
Drake Riggs - February 8, 2021
Everyone loves to fantasy matchmake. That includes lightweight icon Khabib Nurmagomedov who recently shared his all-time top fight to make. Given the possibility of unlimited resources to make any fight happen, “The Eagle” couldn’t help but answer with a fight that surely many others would choose as well.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals new meeting with Dana White, says lightweight division "needs to go on"
Adam Martin - February 8, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed he has a new meeting with Dana White, and suggested the lightweight division “needs to go on.” Nurmagomedov announced his retirement last fall following a submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, but he left open the door for a return pending the outcome of UFC 257’s main event between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. White was angling hard for Nurmagomedov to have a big-money rematch with McGregor, but once Poirier knocked him out and ended all hopes of it happening anytime soon, the Russian told White that he doesn’t see any challengers out there for him. As good as Poirier is, Nurmagomedov already finished him.
Ali Abdelaziz deletes tweet confirming Khabib vs GSP, shares another post denying rumor
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2021
A super-fight fight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov has been mooted for a long time. Is something finally brewing? Judging by Ali Abdelaziz’s twitter feed, that could well be the case.
Georges St-Pierre 'might be getting ready for' Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, says Kenny Florian
Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has made it abundantly clear who the perfect man to get him to 30-0 would be, and that’s none other than Georges St-Pierre. On a recent episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast hosted by UFC commentator Jon Anik and retired UFC title challenger Kenny Florian, “KenFlo” shared some interesting insight.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov jumps in for cousin Umar's victory interview: "You're not ready for English"
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov had some fun at the expense of his cousin Umar during the bantamweights backstage interview at UFC Fight Island 8. Umar Nurmagomedov (13-0 MMA) made his highly anticipated Octagon debut at last week’s Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi. The Russian prospect made quick work of his opponent Sergey Morozov, scoring a second round submission victory.
Coach Javier Mendez shares some advice for his pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez has shared some advice for his star pupil in Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. The Russian sensation cited the death of his Father as the reason for hanging up his gloves.
Khabib Nurmagomedov roasts Daniel Cormier after receiving 2020 Sub of the Year award
Tom Taylor - January 27, 2021
UFC legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier have been friends for many years, and have been known to swap some light hearted trash talk on occasion. That’s exactly what happened when Cormier presented Nurmagomedov with the UFC’s Submission of the Year award for 2020.
Conor McGregor would get "smashed" in Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, says Javier Mendez
Tom Taylor - January 27, 2021
Javier Mendez, the head coach behind Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Conor McGregor would get smashed in a rematch with the lightweight champion. Like pretty much everybody, Mendez was watching last Saturday’s UFC 257 card very closely. After seeing McGregor get stopped by Dustin Poirier in the main event, he has some concerns about the Irishman’s preparation.
Charles Oliveira believes a fight with Dustin Poirier could be the recipe to entice Khabib Nurmagomedov to return
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2021
UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira believes a win over Dustin Poirier could be enough to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement. Oliveira, who is coming off the back of a resounding win over Tony Ferguson, has emerged as one of the primary contenders alongside Michael Chandler to possibly fight Dustin Poirier for the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Georges St-Pierre opens up on missed Khabib Nurmagomedov superfight
Tom Taylor - January 26, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre has opened up on a long-discussed superfight with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, which now seems impossible. Nurmagomedov, 29-0, announced his retirement from MMA in October, after defeating Justin Gaethje via submission. However, Nurmagomedov had long expressed interest in fighting St-Pierre—who is also retired—in his 30th and final MMA fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Dana White: "I have so much respect for you"
Adam Martin - January 24, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov praised UFC president Dana White, telling the promoter “I have so much respect for you.” Nurmagomedov is currently in a quasi-retirement. The Russian told White that he wanted to watch UFC 257 and see if anyone really made a statement on the card, but he has made no guarantee he will fight again. At this point, it’s up in the air, but signs are pointing towards him retiring for good. If that’s the case, then he’s exiting on the best possible terms. Taking to his social media following UFC 257, Nurmagomedov shared a post where he praised White and encouraged fans to give him more credit.
Michael Chandler issues bold prediction for potential Khabib Nurmagomedov title fight
Adam D Martin - January 24, 2021
Michael Chandler issued a bold prediction for a potential title fight matchup with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Chandler knocked out Dan Hooker in the first round in what was an absolutely devastating fashion to mark a brilliant UFC debut for the former Bellator champion. Chandler came into the bout as the underdog but he proved the oddsmakers wrong when he KOed Hooker. It’s a massive win for “Iron” in his UFC debut and it’s the quality victory that could potentially earn him a title fight against Nurmagomedov if the champ decides to come out of retirement.