Getty Image / Chris Unger
There are very few individuals in MMA history that have found success in the sport like Khabib Nurmagomedv.
As a fighter, Khabib never tasted defeat.
During his time in the UFC, he made a strong case that he is the greatest lightweight to ever compete in the sport. He went 13-0 in the organization and defended the lightweight belt 3 times while rarely appearing to face a true challenge inside the Octagon.
That run included dominant wins over big names like Edson Barboza, Rafael Dos Anjos, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
After establishing his legacy as a fighter, Khabib decided to move on to coaching and continued to find an incredible level of success. That success includes coaching long-time training partner Islam Makhachev to a win for the UFC lightweight title he previously held himself.
Now it appears we might not see him in Makhachev’s corner when he makes his first title defense against Alexander Volkanovski.
Sun Sport’s Chisanga Malata shared a report from multiple Russian reporters that Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to step away from MMA entirely.
🚨JUST IN🚨
Former #UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is reportedly planning to completely leave MMA.
Nurmagomedov has, of course, thrown himself into coaching & Eagle FC since his retirement 2 years ago.
He is expected to focus on his family and businesses, pic.twitter.com/9b40lRUjNX
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) January 7, 2023
This report came after Khabib recently shared a post on Instagram that appeared to be a farewell message.
If this is truly the end of Khabib’s time in the sport, he leaves with a well-established legacy as one of the greatest fighters to every set foot inside the UFC Octagon and as a coach that led his fighters to a lot of success in a very short time.
Fans will be disappointed to see him completely leaving the sport at just 34 years old, but he is already entirely out of things to prove in MMA.