Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts primarily due to the profound loss of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and a promise he made to his mother. His decision marked the end of an undefeated career, concluding with a perfect 29-0 record.
The Impact of His Father's Passing
The passing of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in July 2020, due to complications from COVID-19, was a devastating blow to Khabib. Abdulmanap was not just his father but also his lifelong coach, mentor, and the architect of his fighting style and success. His father's presence was integral to his preparation and his entire professional journey. Khabib often spoke about how he could not imagine continuing to compete without his father by his side in his corner, guiding him. The emotional and personal void left by his father's death was too significant for him to continue the demanding life of a professional fighter at the elite level.
The Promise to His Mother
Following his father's death, Khabib's mother requested that he no longer fight without Abdulmanap. Out of respect and love for his mother, Khabib made a solemn promise to her that his fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020 would be his last. After successfully defending his Lightweight Championship against Gaethje, he emotionally announced his retirement in the octagon, fulfilling his pledge.
Post-Retirement Ventures
After stepping away from active competition, Khabib briefly remained involved in the MMA world. He purchased the Gorilla Fighting Championship, rebranding it as Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC), and also took on a coaching role, guiding several of his teammates and cousins to success, notably Islam Makhachev. However, he eventually decided to step away from coaching and further involvement in MMA to dedicate more time to his family, reinforcing the family-centric nature of his initial retirement decision.
