KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV

Although it is difficult to pronounce and spell, UFC fans already have the name of Khabib Nurmagomedov engraved on them. The current lightweight champion -this timebeat another great challenger, such as Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi. And like many other cases, the Russian had to overcome various obstacles in his life.

Born in the Republic of Dagestan, on September 20, 1988, Khabib Nurmagomedov lived in one of the towns most affected by terrorism in Russia. In that area, he forged his character from a very young age, thanks to his father Abdulmanap, a former Soviet Union soldier. Unlike other boys, Khabib showed an interest in wrestling. This is because his father trained young people to join the national team of that discipline. However, his first challenge would come at the age of 9.

It was September 23, 1997, Khabib had already celebrated his birthday, but his father kept a surprise for him until that day. When going out into the street, he realized that his gift was a bear, almost the size of him. Khabib had no better idea than to fight the bear. Immediately, his father picked up the VCR and began filming the encounter. "A child always wants to show his father what he is capable of. What I saw was a test of character," Abdulmanap confessed years later in an interview.

At the age of 12, Khabib began to train wrestling more. Three years later, his father taught him judo and at 17 he was introduced to sambo, considered the national sport in Russia, which is based on wrestling. In sambo Khabib became a double world champion. And with a base that includes takedowns, judo throws, jiu jitsu submissions, among other styles, the Russian got ready to make the leap: to be a mixed martial arts fighter.

Khabib Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut on September 13, 2008 against Vusal Bayramov. His rival did not get past the first round and with a 'triangle' (submission key), he got his first victory.

In less than a month, Khabib had already collected four victories. On October 11 of that year, Nurmagomedov competed in a tournament in Moscow, where he had to fight three times that night. Surprisingly, neither could beat him. The next three years the story did not change. Khabib remained undefeated, finishing 11 of his 12 opponents. After that, he competed in the ProFC. In one year, Nurmagomedov fought seven times, all of which he won by TKO or submission. A resounding 16-0 record. Khabib was already known on the regional circuits of Russia and Ukraine. Nurmagomedov's next step was to heed the UFC's call. In 2011, the 'Eagle', as he is known, signed a contract for six fights at Dana White's company in the lightweight category.

His brand new UFC debut took place on January 20, 2012. Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Kamal Shalorus in the third round via submission. That same year, he also fought Gleison Tibau on July 7, a unanimous decision victory. The following year, he defeated Thiago Tavares on January 19 at UFC on FX 7. Khabib won via first round knockout. On May 25, the Russian entered the history of the company, because by defeating Abel Trujillo, he became the first fighter with the most takedowns in a fight, with 21 out of 27 possible. In his fifth fight in the UFC, on September 21, 2013, Khabib defeated Pat Healy via unanimous decision. However, the most outstanding thing was what Dana White said after seeing the Russian's fight. “Those takedowns! This boy is impressive, we have great ideas with him”, declared the president of the company. In December 2013, Khabib challenged Gilbert Melendez; however, the parties did not reach an agreement. He then looked for a fight against Nate Diaz, but to no avail. Despite the disappointment, Nurmagomedov found a match in Rafael dos Anjos. At the UFC on Fox 11 event on April 19, 2014, Khabib dominated Dos Anjos and won via unanimous decision. With six victories and the good impression of Dana White, the next step for the Russian, without a doubt, was the title. However, injuries appeared and sidelined him for two years. First, on September 27, 2014. Khabib was set to fight Donald Cerrone, but he suffered a knee problem.

Despite the fact that the fight against the 'Vaquero' Cerrone was postponed to May 23, 2015, Khabib was again pulled from the card after suffering another knee injury. In the midst of this downturn that the Russian suffered, the rivalry with Tony Ferguson was created, against whom he has had four opportunities to fight, but all have been canceled for various reasons. The first was on December 11, 2015; however, Khabib suffered another injury that sidelined him. The second attempt was on April 16, 2016, but now the problem was Ferguson, who withdrew due to a problem with his lungs. The following year, on January 4, Nurmagomedov, shortly after the fight, retired by cutting weight. The fourth attempt was made on

April 7 of this year for UFC 223. Khabib and Tony Ferguson were scheduled to fight for the absolute lightweight title, after the company stripped it from Conor McGregor for not defending it for two years. . However, "Cucuy" suffered a knee problem and was replaced by Max Holloway. Unfortunately, Holloway was also unable to fight following the statement from the Nevada Athletic Commission. The body did not allow the Hawaiian to fight because there was a risk of a weight problem. When it seemed that the event was 'falling off', the UFC named Al Iaquinta as Khabib's rival for the title.

On April 7, the Barclays Center in New York was the scene of Khabib's first UFC title. After dominating the entire match, the judges gave the Russian the winner by unanimous decision. His winning streak not only stretched to 26 as a professional, but also added the title he had been waiting for so long. In his first defense, Khabib came face to face with the most media fighter of all time, Conor McGregor. Cataloged as the fight of the year, the Russian demonstrated his fighting game and managed to make him perform with a 'mataleón'. However, the result was left behind after the pitched battle they staged. Khabib forgot about the fight and went looking for Dillon Danis, a friend of Conor McGregor. As expected, the sanction came and it was harsh: a nine-month sanction.

In the time he was away, Dana White was forced to create an interim title, which he won over Dustin Poirier. The 'Diamond' took the belt against Max Holloway. And at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier met. In an expected bout, the Russian brought out his fight and pressured the American from start to finish. Already in the third round, and visibly tired, the 'Diamond' gave up with a 'mataleón'.

The year of your retirement

At the beginning of 2020, the longawaited fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov was confirmed, a duel that had already been agreed in the past, but due to various injuries it did not materialize. Both were expected to fight in April, but with the pandemic the plans did not materialize.

Once again the fight between the two did not come to pass and it seemed to be Dana White's last attempt to program them. Khabib Nurmagomedov was unable to return to the United States due to border closures and stayed in Russia with his father.

In the middle of the year, terrible news brought the "Eagle" into mourning: his father and his mentor Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died of problems derived from the coronavirus. The sensitive death of his mother greatly affected the lightweight champion, who had to defend his belt against Justin Gaethje, who took the Russian's place to beat Tony Ferguson.

The fight was special for Khabib in every way: not only did he stretch his streak to 29-0 with a 'mataleón', it was also the first and last he had without his father alive. After defeating Gaethje, he announced that he withdrew her from him after a promise he made to his mother.

“I told my mother that this would be my last fight. I told the UFC to put me number one in the pound-forpound ranking after this. I think I deserve to be number one... This was my father's dream, ”he concluded.

And although Dana White has revealed that Khabib could return to close his record at 30-0, as his father would have wanted, nothing is confirmed yet. It will be up to the Russian to see if he wants to return to extend his legacy and say goodbye to the Octagon in memory of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. In this way, the 'Eagle' will be able to fly high.