Retired since 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov explains that he is a person like everyone else with one difference.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 after defending his belt one last time against Justin Gaethje. Not having the strength to continue fighting without his father who died the same year, he preferred to withdraw. He left undefeated and with a 29-0 record. Since then, he has lived his retired life. We can still see him training from time to time or in the corner of his team members when they fight. Often recognized as modest and humble despite his accomplishments, Khabib would now like to be considered an average person. He spoke on this subject and gave the only difference between him and ordinary mortals:
“Why do you think I’m humble?” I’m not the best person in the world, I’m not the nicest. I am like everybody else. The difference between you and me is that I piss people off. I know how to beat people, I know how to hurt them. But I don’t do that anymore, I used to do that in the cage. Now that my career is over I’m like everyone else. I go to bed, I wake up, I have my coffee in the morning… Sometimes I’m in a very good mood, sometimes I’m in a terrible mood. We are the same, nothing changes between you and me. »
An increasingly pronounced withdrawal from the world of combat sports
Today, Khabib leads a very ordinary lifestyle. The provocations of his former rivals, those of Conor McGregor or even those of Tony Ferguson, do not encourage him to make a comeback. Even the astronomical sums offered by the UFC for his return were not enough. After his retirement, Khabib became a coach. He was notably seen in Islam Makhachev’s corner until the latter became champion in turn. Since then, the ‘Eagle of Dagestan’ has severed ties with the cage both inside and on board.
