Khabib Nurmagomedov: Abdulmanap’s plan

Khabib Nurmagomedov successfully defended his lightweight crown against Justin Gaethje in the second round via a triangle choke at UFC 254. It was Khabib’s first fight since the death of his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. After a hard first round, who was won by Justin Gaethje on two judges scorecards, Khabib took Justin down in the first minute of the second round and finished the fight. Seconds after finishing Justin Gaethje, Khabib fell down and immediately started crying. He then announced his retirement from MMA.

On July 3, his father died due to complications towards a COVID-19 battle. Abdulmanap wasn’t only a father to Khabib, he was his trainer and mentor. Since he was a kid, his father trained him. To the bears he wrestled, the world sambo championships, the UFC fights; Abdulmanap trained him. They had a plan. Khabib called it the Father’s plan. The goal of Khabib was to retire at 30-0. They were supposed to do it together. Unfortunately, the eagle’s dad flown away. In his post-fight interview, Khabib revealed that his mother didn’t want him to fight if his father wasn’t in his corner.

”After what happen with father, the UFC called me about Justin. I talked with my mother three days… She don’t know how I go fight without father but I promised her this is going to be my last fight.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of 29-0. In 29 fights, he never got knockdown or even cut. He was one of the most dominant champions we ever saw in the MMA. He retires at the top of the food chain. A fight with Georges Saint-Pierre was talked before this fight to be the last one of Khabib. It was the fight Abdulmanap was advocating for.

Khabib will be missed. Congratulations on a dominant career. You made father proud.