Khabib Nurmagomedov is definitely done with MMA! “I hope that my decision will bring only benefits”
It looks like one of the best fighters in history and recently a highly successful coach Khabib Nurmagomedov has parted ways with the sport for good. According to unofficial reports, former undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov intends to quit MMA – including as a coach and promoter for the Eagle FC organization.
On Friday, the Dagestanian published a puzzling post on Instagram in which he included a picture of his entire team. “End of the year,” he wrote. “It has certainly been a very busy and successful year. Take care of yourselves, brothers! I hope that my decision will bring you nothing but benefits. A big hug to you all. Thank you. I owe much of my success in sport to you.”
On Saturday, there were unofficial reports on Volga portals – including Ask Rasul – that the Dagestan Eagle had abandoned MMA altogether. This is to mean stepping down from his role as coach and promoter of Eagle FC.
So, what does Khabib intend to do? Unknown. The option of going into politics is reportedly not being considered at all. Asked a few weeks ago what his most important goals were, Nurmagomedov did not think long. He replied that his absolute priority was his family life, and specifically devoting more of his hitherto limited time to it.
In the past year, the Dagestan Eagle, in cooperation with Javier Mendez, has led Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov to sporting heights. The former sat on the UFC light heavyweight championship throne, while the latter reached for Bellator’s 155-pound gold.
Khabib Nurmagomedov fought under the UFC banner from 2012 to 2020. He fought thirteen victorious fights in the octagon, winning the light heavyweight title, which he defended three times. He retired from the sport, barely 32 years old. He justified this with the death of his father and a promise to his mother.
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Fedor Emelianenko has spoken out about Khabib’s decision to quit MMA completely
Russian mixed martial arts fighter Fedor Emelianenko commented on former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s decision to withdraw completely from the MMA industry. “It’s Khabib’s decision, there’s nothing unnatural or illegal about it. It’s his personal choice. Maybe we athletes spend a lot of time away from our families because of the sport and sometimes we want to give it all up. Especially when we have young children at home,” said Emelianenko at a press conference.
Khabib Nurmagomedov fought his last fight in October 2020 against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. The Russian won by choke and defended his title before announcing the end of his professional career as a fighter with a 29-0 record. Khabib has since concentrated on coaching.
“As a fighter, I think I became a fighter by accident.” Should Khabib return to football?
He will not only make a manager but also a player. Khabib Nurmagomedov nicknamed “Oryol” (eagle) is one of the most ardent football fans in the mixed martial arts world. And this love still does not let him go. In fact, Eagle has promised to retire from sport completely to devote time to his family. And he did not go to his brother Umar’s tournament. But Khabib did attend last weekend’s Liverpool vs Chelsea football match in England. He continues to be an active fan. So maybe he should get back into football.
And after all, Khabib can do more than just own a football club or be an effective manager, coaching up-and-coming stars. At one time he had a real chance to make his professional football debut. Eagle was constantly showing off his friendlies, taking part in Spartak’s training sessions and even having his picture taken with Cristiano Ronaldo, who was then playing for his beloved Real Madrid. And this was noticed by Shamil Lakhiyalov, president of Legion-Dinamo, who offered Nurmagomedov to play for his club. But at that moment Khabib was completely absorbed by the MMA industry, so he did not take such a serious step.
At the same time, Oryol has many times said that becoming a footballer is his childhood dream: “I love football since childhood and always dreamed of becoming a footballer, but I was born in Dagestan, and there you know what the priority is. Who knows, maybe if Ronaldo had been born in Dagestan, he would have become a UFC champion too. In general, I would like to say that football is a sport. And, in my opinion, I became a fighter by chance. Just kidding, not by accident. One day I`ll tell you about my passion for football when I was a kid and how I wrote 200 names of football in my copybook while sitting in the classroom (in sixth grade) (there was no Internet back then)”.
Khabib is still keeping in touch with football. So, it’s certainly not worth ruling out his return. Because Oryol continues to actively cheer, attend matches and participate in football life. And there are plenty of opportunities for a comeback. Recently there has been an active development of media football, where the Fight Nights team is showing excellent results. And Kamil Gajiev surely will find a place for Nurmagomedov there. Besides, Khabib may well get his own team, and even at a professional level. And Legion-Dynamo will welcome Oryol with open arms. Khabib may well be back. But not in mixed martial arts, but in football. And there is no certainty that he will be less emotional there. Eagle lives this business, so he may well break into even the RPL.
