Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje during the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday, defending his lightweight title and remaining undefeated in MMA. He then immediately stunned viewers by revealing that the fight would be his last in the UFC following his father’s death in July. “This was my last fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “There’s no way I’m going to come here without my father. … After what happened with my father — when UFC called me about Justin — I talked with my mother [for] three days, ‘should I go fight without my father?’ I promised her it was gonna be my last fight. And if I give my word, I have to follow it.”
“Wow. Wow, man,” UFC President Dana White said after Nurmagomedov announced his retirement. “He is the baddest motherf—er on the planet.” White was not the only person expressing this opinion on Saturday. A multitude of UFC fighters and fans alike expressed similar sentiments. They proclaimed that the undefeated Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s history and that he has an incredible legacy.
Videos by PopCulture.com
Thank you for showing us your heart inside that cage GOAT @TeamKhabib #UFC254
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) October 24, 2020
29-0. After a masterful, skilled, beautifully well rounded performance Khabib leaves his gloves in the octagon and announces his retirement. Wow.
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) October 24, 2020
Nurmagomedov put a lot of emotion on display on Saturday after defeating Gaethje. He broke down in tears in the middle of the octagon and then gave his emotional retirement speech. The news stunned viewers at home, but they took time to praise the undefeated fighter for putting his heart and emotions on display during UFC 254.
The best pound for pound fighter in the world Congrats champion 🏆 @TeamKhabib #UFC254 @ufc
— rakic_ufc (@rakic_ufc) October 24, 2020
He is totally unbeatable and a truly great champ. But to be honest I am tired to watch him always winning on the floor. Happy to not to see it again.
— Marion Cobretti 🇧🇪 (@Cobretti75) October 24, 2020
There were thousands of Twitter users chiming in after UFC 254 to make proclamations about Nurmagomedov and his career. The majority expressed the opinion that he is one of the greatest fighters of all time. They cited his undefeated record, as well as the way he finished fights.
Man I’m tearing up .Khabib champ
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2020
The greatest of all time @TeamKhabib . I love you brother and am so happy for you.
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) October 24, 2020
Nurmagomedov was not the only person putting emotions on display on Saturday. The fans on Twitter also did something similar. Many talked about how they were legitimately crying after watching the fighter’s speech. They expressed sadness about him walking away from the octagon and the UFC, but they also said that they completely understand why he would choose to do so after his father passed away in July.
The Legacy of Khabib is unmatched 👏🏻👏🏻
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) October 24, 2020
What an emotional moment after losing his father earlier this year. #ufc254
The Legacy of Khabib is unmatched 👏🏻👏🏻
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) October 24, 2020
What an emotional moment after losing his father earlier this year. #ufc254
Nurmagomedov ends his career with a 29-0 MMA record and three title defenses. In the opinions of many Twitter users and fighters alike, this stat line makes him the sport’s GOAT. They continued to frequently express this opinion after he announced his retirement and said that there is no one that can match this record.
A true champion. Always respectful, humble, down to earth, and kind fighter. That’s how a believer should behave. Your legacy will be remembered ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6H2PRqGVCX
— . (@M53784955) October 24, 2020
This makes me 😭
— #JD10 (@Javed_theGreat) October 24, 2020
What a legend.
What a story.
This Father and Son duo ❤️
We’re all proud. What an example 🙏 pic.twitter.com/8odVU9v7Tz
There were a few fans in the minority that chose to criticize Nurmagomedov on Saturday, saying that he is “afraid of a rematch” with Conor McGregor. The majority, however, made their support very clear. They proclaimed that he is one of the greatest fighters ever and they expressed appreciation for his decision to walk away instead of competing without his father.
The moment the strongest fighter have to cry. He fought for his father, he retired because he can’t fight without his father in his corner and he honored his father. Forever the GOAT, Khabib. Hamdulillah 🙏💔
— Speedy¹⁹ (@thebadrussian_) October 24, 2020
What a role model… What a respect for a father, what a family.
— Caberinjo (@caberinjo) October 24, 2020
Respect champion. It was pleasure to watch you.
There are some fighters in UFC history that have struggled with issues outside of the octagon. Some were arrested multiple times while others struggled with illegal substances. Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, has continued to draw praise for how he handles himself. The fans continued to express this opinion on Saturday after he announced his retirement.
When fighters say they’re retiring, history tells us not to take them seriously. But Khabib is cut from different cloth, or steel. His inner strength is even more powerful than his outer. Hard not to believe him. If this was it, what a champion he has been. SALUTE.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 24, 2020
Never doubt on khabib bro, he’s a true legend no one cries like that in a cage, he’s true human , a living legend and no doubt GOAT 🐐, he respect his family more then this game, money is just a paper for khabib, he’s always committed with his words, a true living legend
— Sachin belwal (@Sachinbelwal1) October 24, 2020
Is Nurmagomedov truly walking away from the octagon for good? Many fans don’t know for certain, but they said that they believe him. The fans know that McGregor has retired three separate times and is about to return once again, but they don’t expect this to happen with Nurmagomedov.
