NBA Stars Get Brutally Honest About Khabib Nurmagomedov (Photos)
NBA Stars Get Brutally Honest About Khabib Nurmagomedov (Photos)
Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje in dominant fashion at UFC 254. The bout was never especially competitive, and Nurmagomedov was superior in just about every way to his opponent.
Following the match, Nurmagomedov got on the mic and revealed that this would be his final fight. He had made a promise to his mother that he would call it a career after beating Gaethje.
“I promised her this was gonna be my last fight,” he said. “If I give my word, I have to follow this.”
“Today, I want to say it was my last fight. … If I give my word, I have to follow this.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov announces his retirement after #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/Nidgf7iAMA
— ESPN (@espn) October 24, 2020
The moment was extremely emotional because this marked the first time Nurmagomedov had fought since the passing of his father.
A number of NBA players immediately took to social media to respond to Nurmagomedov’s in-fight dominance and his subsequent retirement.
Yikes. This Khabib situation for #UFC254 looks shady AF. https://t.co/hytAboM6Bc
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 24, 2020
Khabib is the most dominant fighter i’ve seen. Just unmatched, i thought that today was gonna be his toughest fight but there is just no match. Too good of a wrestler, too tough, too strong.
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) October 24, 2020
Khabib in the GOAT convo for sure
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) October 24, 2020
Damn Khabib retired
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 24, 2020
Khabib really a monster lol
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 24, 2020
Put em straight to sleep .. left no doubt
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) October 24, 2020
Khabib
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) October 24, 2020
Let’s work Khabib!!! #ufc254
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) October 24, 2020
Champ!!!!! #UFC254 animal!!! Rest well Pops!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) October 24, 2020
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) October 24, 2020
A number of celebrities also reacted to Nurmagomedov’s win and announcement.
Khabib has this #UFC254
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) October 24, 2020
The Legacy of Khabib is unmatched
What an emotional moment after losing his father earlier this year. #ufc254
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) October 24, 2020
The best to ever do it @TeamKhabib
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) October 24, 2020
Gotta crush this training session now but #UFC254 just started. 2pm fights threw me off dammit
Best of luck to all the fighters and put on a great show! Training comes first.. checking my phone for updates.#ineedmyfix #hardestworkersintheroom— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 24, 2020
#UFC254 #Khabib just proved why he is the champ
— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 24, 2020
With this win, Nurmagomedov joined Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Demetrius ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson and Max Holloway as one of only six fighters to have a 13-fight winning streak.
Championship coaches do championship things. https://t.co/Rt7179e8TK
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 22, 2020
Eight of Nurmagomedov’s victories ultimately came via knockout and eleven came by way of submission.
Even if he stays true to his pronouncement and never fights again, Nurmagomedov will go down as arguably the greatest mixed martial artist in UFC history.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
