Khabib Nurmagomedov has shared how the death of his father in 2020 deeply affected his life and career in mixed martial arts.
The undefeated UFC champion remains one of the greatest fighters in history. He retired with a flawless record of 29 wins and no losses. On his way to greatness, he defeated top names such as Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Rafael dos Anjos.
Yet, after his victory over Gaethje, Khabib shocked the world by announcing his retirement. His father’s passing had changed everything for him.
A career defined by family and discipline
In a recent interview, Khabib spoke candidly about the reasons behind his decision. He explained that the situation after his father’s death was overwhelming.
“It was not only my mother, it was everything together,” Khabib said. “I saw many rumors about why I retired. Some said it was for one reason, others said another. But if my father were still alive, he would have made me fight a little longer. I was only 32 when I stopped.”
His father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, had been more than a parent — he was Khabib’s lifelong coach and mentor. His guidance shaped Khabib’s discipline and fighting spirit from a young age. Losing him left a void that Khabib felt could not be filled inside the cage.
The hard choice between family and the sport
Khabib revealed that after his father’s death, he and his mother had a heartfelt conversation.
“It was a very honest and good talk with my mother,” he said. “It’s hard to explain. Everything happened so fast. Even when father passed away, I didn’t have time to think. They made an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson. The UFC told me, ‘We’ll give you one month off. After that, tell us what you plan to do.’”
He described how torn he felt between his duty as a champion and his loyalty to his family. “It was a very difficult situation,” Khabib said. “From one side, the whole world was waiting for the fight. On the other side, I had this deal with my father and mother. In the end, I chose to respect my mother’s wish.”
A legacy beyond the octagon
Khabib’s choice to retire at the peak of his career added to his legend. His decision showed that for him, faith and family stood above fame and glory.
Now, years after leaving the sport, Khabib continues to honor his father’s memory by training young fighters and building the next generation of champions.
His story remains a reminder that greatness is not only about victory — it’s also about knowing when to walk away.
