UFC legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier shared a touching exchange while reminiscing about their storied careers during a training session in New York ahead of UFC 322.
The former champions — now close friends and coaches — reflected on their peak years, with both agreeing that 2018 marked their finest moments.
“For me, it was 2018 — I beat Volkan [Oezdemir], Stipe [Miocic], and Derrick Lewis,” Cormier said. Nurmagomedov laughed, noting it was also his best year — when he became lightweight champion and defeated Conor McGregor in one of the sport’s biggest bouts.
When jokingly asked who was better, Cormier quipped that his “double champ” status gave him the edge. He then recalled Nurmagomedov’s emotional farewell at UFC 254, revealing that the fighter’s final words in the octagon were, “DC, I love you brother.”
Nurmagomedov playfully denied it, prompting laughter between the two as they reflected on the friendship forged through years of competition and mutual respect.
