Khabib Nurmagomedov is insistent he’s still the best fighter on the planet, as he explains why he has no interest in returning to the sport of mixed martial arts.
‘The Eagle’retired with a perfect record of 29-0 after destroying an array of top-level opponents.
Khabib Nurmagomedov does not want to fight without his father
In his esteemed career, Khabib Nurmagomedov showcased his sublime grappling skills, honed through years of sambo training in Dagestan.
With an unrelenting work rate and will to win, the Russian won UFC lightweight gold, topped the pound-for-pound list, sealed his place in the Hall of Fame, and walked away on top.
To this day, the Russian believes he could return to the sport, and dominate the current crop of lightweights.
However, without his mentor and dad, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, by his side, the legend is adamant he’s never coming back.
In an interview on the PBD Podcast, the gifted fighter said: “Even now, I believe I can beat anybody in the world; I’m not old. A lot of people forget about why I retired. It was not because I was old; it was because my father passed away. I did not want to do this without him.
“Since I was born, I was a competitor. Many people train for 10-20 years, but inside, they are not warriors. They are professionals but not warriors.
“When you are professional, and inside your heart you are a warrior, this kind of people can become champion, defend their title and be the best in the world.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov remembers brutal street brawl, where he had to take on two brothers to avenge his cousin
While today, the world knows Nurmagomedov as one of the best competitors to have ever graced the octagon, he was engaging in fights years before he made a splash in the UFC.
Growing up in Russia, the athlete was often around violence, once becoming enraged after watching his cousin lose on the streets.
Determined to avenge his relative’s defeat, he challenged the individual who did the damage to a fight.
However, he ended up not just taking on him, but his brother as well, and the whole thing had a rather interesting ending.