Khabib Nurmagomedov has left the stage at UFC 254.
Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after defeating Justin Gaethje via second-round submission on Saturday. The UFC lightweight champion took off his gloves while speaking with Jon Anik. Nurmagomedov credited his father's death with his decision to retire.
"Today is my last fight here in UFC." #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/sq6R9LxN1i
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
"It was my last fight. No way I'm going to come here without my father," Nurmagomedov told Anik. "After what happened with my father, when UFC called me about Justin, I talked with my mother [for] three days. She didn't want me to go fight without my father. I promised her this is going to be my last fight."
"No way I'm going to come here without my father." #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/Mra46AIius
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
Gaethje also stuck around after the fight to speak with Anik. The former UFC interim lightweight champion praised "The Eagle" and was confident Nurmagomedov's father would be proud.
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