“It has no end,” Khabib Nurmagomedov ACCURATELY predicted his retirement at the age of 24
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Khabib at 24 predicted his retirement (Image Courtesy - MMA Junkie)
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career is one that is highly regarded by the MMA world. “The Eagle” holds an untainted 29-0 record at lightweight, 13-0 in the UFC. He also had 4 title fight victories in the promotion.
Hence, his retirement in 2021, after his successful title defense against Justin Gaethje came as a big shock to everyone. No one expected the Dagestani fighter to retire from the sport when he was at his peak, at only 32. However, eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice a video of Khabib predicting his retirement as early as eight years prior.
In an interview conducted in his native language, early in Khabib’s career, the Eagle predicted his career map and retirement. “My plan is, I’m 24, and if I win the belt and I stay undefeated most likely I’ll leave the sport because it has no end. If I win the title and stay undefeated, I’ll retire.”
The Dagestani legend’s early career was marred by injuries and some mishaps on the scale. However, he always did manage to bounce back from those setbacks. It is still quite jarring to think that Khabib was so sure of himself even at the young age of 24. And it just goes to show the kind of man The Eagle is.
Khabib Nurmagomedov also once contemplated retirement at 26 before he became the lightweight GOAT
The Eagle’s MMA career had always been the product of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s plan. The culmination of it all came when Khabib defeated Conor McGregor in the UFC’s biggest-ever PPV night at UFC 229. However, in his UFC Hall of Fame speech, Khabib revealed how all this may not have even come to fruition.
The lightweight legend said during the speech that he was very close to retiring at the age of 26. 4 years before he’d even get a shot at the UFC lightweight title. Reflecting upon this dark time in his legendary career, he said, “I remember when I was talking with my father, ‘Maybe I should like retire? What do you think? I’m tired. Again surgery, surgery.“
As it turns out, if it hadn’t been for Abdulmanap’s sage-like advice, the world would have missed out on seeing the Eagle soar in the UFC. However, his father set him straight, saying, “You only 26 years old, your time is gonna come. But you cannot give up.”
Khabib said this motivated him as nothing else had. The legendary coach’s advice worked wonders as his son went on to decimate all the opposition put in front of him. And ended up cementing himself in the annuls of UFC lightweight history.
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Neeraj Bharadwaj
(58 Articles Published)