What Happened to Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov, born on September 20, 1988, is a retired Russian mixed martial artist best known for his time in the UFC, where he became the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion. He retired with an undefeated record of 29-0 after his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on October 24, 2020. His decision to retire was deeply personal; it followed the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, due to complications from COVID-19. Khabib had promised his mother that he would not continue fighting without his father by his side, leading to his emotional announcement immediately after the fight.
After retiring as a fighter, Khabib transitioned into coaching and promoting. He purchased the Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC) and rebranded it as the Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC). He also began coaching fighters at the American Kickboxing Academy, including notable champions like Islam Makhachev and Belal Muhammad.
In January 2023, Khabib announced his retirement from coaching to focus more on his family life. This decision marked a complete break from mixed martial arts after a successful career both as a fighter and a coach. Despite stepping back from the sport, he has remained influential in MMA circles.
As of January 2025, Khabib Nurmagomedov is focused on family and has distanced himself from active involvement in MMA. His legacy as one of the greatest fighters in the sport's history continues to be celebrated, and he remains a respected figure in the world of mixed martial arts.
