Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals dark thoughts ahead of Conor McGregor fight: ‘I don’t think I would kill him’

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregorThough they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most…

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most volatile in UFC history.

Six months after capturing the lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, ‘The Eagle’ stepped inside the cage with Conor McGregor in what would become the highest-grossing pay-per-view in promotional history — a record that still stands today.

Nurmagomedov largely dominated the bout with his signature Dagestani wrestling and eventually submitted the Irishman in the fourth round via rear-naked choke.

Looking back on their fierce feud and his victory over ‘Mystic Mac’ at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that under different circumstances, he likely wouldn’t have relinquished the choke until McGregor had fully passed out. …Or worse.

“Would I have let go? No, I wouldn’t have,” he said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “It’s that moment when your emotional state reaches its peak, touching the ceiling. He and I knew what we were going for. It’s not like when you meet someone on the street and start choking him. He is one of the best fighters in the world.

We were appointed to fight in half a year; we go out and find out who is the best. Would I kill him? I don’t think I would kill him but to the point of passing out, yes. Would I have controlled myself? We’ll never know. How long I would have choked him is a good question. I don’t know.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA two fights later

Khabib Nurmagomdeov would go on to defend his lightweight title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and his gold in October 2020, officially retiring from the sport with a 29-0 record.

Conor McGregor has only won once since his loss to Nurmagomedov, which was a 40-second TKO victory against a past-his-prime Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals dark thoughts ahead of Conor McGregor fight: ‘I don’t think I would kill him’

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregorThough they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most…

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most volatile in UFC history.

Six months after capturing the lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, ‘The Eagle’ stepped inside the cage with Conor McGregor in what would become the highest-grossing pay-per-view in promotional history — a record that still stands today.

Nurmagomedov largely dominated the bout with his signature Dagestani wrestling and eventually submitted the Irishman in the fourth round via rear-naked choke.

Looking back on their fierce feud and his victory over ‘Mystic Mac’ at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that under different circumstances, he likely wouldn’t have relinquished the choke until McGregor had fully passed out. …Or worse.

“Would I have let go? No, I wouldn’t have,” he said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “It’s that moment when your emotional state reaches its peak, touching the ceiling. He and I knew what we were going for. It’s not like when you meet someone on the street and start choking him. He is one of the best fighters in the world.

We were appointed to fight in half a year; we go out and find out who is the best. Would I kill him? I don’t think I would kill him but to the point of passing out, yes. Would I have controlled myself? We’ll never know. How long I would have choked him is a good question. I don’t know.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA two fights later

Khabib Nurmagomdeov would go on to defend his lightweight title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and his gold in October 2020, officially retiring from the sport with a 29-0 record.

Conor McGregor has only won once since his loss to Nurmagomedov, which was a 40-second TKO victory against a past-his-prime Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.

UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son against chasing MMA career: ‘Athletes are not normal people’

Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son away from chasing MMA career athletes are not normal people UFCFormer undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed his son with train in some…

Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son away from chasing MMA career athletes are not normal people UFC

Former undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed his son with train in some form of discipline of mixed martial arts in the future, however, has discouraged him from pursuing a career in the UFC – claiming athletes are far from “normal people”.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder under banner of the above-mentioned, UFC, called time on his unbeaten career back in 2019, off the back of a stunning 29-0 professional mixed martial arts run.

Landing in the Fighter Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame off the back of his retirement, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Nurmagomedov most recently took out former interim lightweight kingpin, Justin Gaethje with a dominant triangle choke submission win – in a career-highlight performance.

Khabib Nurmagomedov talks son away from MMA career

Turning his hand to training and coaching at the San Jose facility in the time since, Nurmagomedov famously led teammate, Islam Makhachev to a title coronation against former champion, Charles Oliveira almost two years ago. 

Revealing his youngest son questioned if he himself could fight like compatriot, Makhachev, Nurmagomedov detailed how while he would encourage his children to train in mixed martial arts – he has no interest in seeing them fight professionally.

“I know for sure he’s going to train,” Khabib Nurmagomedov told Miftaah Institute Vancouver about his son. “He just asks me too much questions because when I retired he was only 3 years old. A couple of weeks ago he asked me, ‘Father, can you fight like Islam Makhachev? Because he’s a very good fighter, I never seen you fight like him.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, this is a very good question.’”

“Personally, I don’t want him to become a professional athlete, I’m not gonna hold him [back], but honestly, I don’t want.” Khabib Nurmagomedov explained. 

Speaking on the chances of featuring in mixed martial arts again, Dagestan native, Nurmagomedov revealed his manager, Ali Abdelaziz was broached about the prospect of him UFC 300 – which was immediately shut down. 

Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov ever fights in MMA again?

NBA star Steph Curry gifts UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov game-worn jersey following win

Khabib meets Steph CurryKhabib Nurmagomedov was gifted a signed jersey from NBA icon Steph Curry. The former UFC lightweight world champion was courtside at…

Khabib meets Steph Curry

Khabib Nurmagomedov was gifted a signed jersey from NBA icon Steph Curry.

The former UFC lightweight world champion was courtside at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto as Curry and the Golden State Warriors secured a 120-105 win over the Raptors. During the game, ‘The Eagle’ couldn’t help, but marvel at seeing the four-time NBA champion in action.

“It’s different experience to watch live one of the best NBA player in the world,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X along with a photo of Curry on the court.

Following the game, the two engaged in a brief conversation before Curry handed his game-worn jersey to ‘The Eagle’ with his autograph and a message. “To Khabib, all love champ,” the two-time MVP wrote.

Curry tallied a team-leading 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists to lead Golden State to victory. Though the team had a rough start to the 2023/2024 season, the Warriors have now won 11 of their last 13 games. They’ll be back on the court on Saturday, March 2 for a meeting with the Eastern Conference’s top dogs, the Boston Celtics.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Plans to remain happily retired

Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport. Going 29-0 in his career, ‘The Eagle’ captured the UFC lightweight title, defending it three times against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and riding off into retirement in 2020.

Despite repeated efforts by the UFC to draw him back in with fat stacks of cash, ‘The Eagle’ has remained adamant that he is retired and will be staying that way.

Khabib Nurmagomedov once again shuts down rumors of a return to the Octagon: ‘I will never change this’

Khabib NurmagomedovKhabib Nurmagomedov is never coming back. Whether or not you believe he is the GOAT of MMA, you can’t…

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov is never coming back.

Whether or not you believe he is the GOAT of MMA, you can’t deny that Nurmagomedov’s run in mixed martial arts was unprecedented. ‘The Eagle’ went an incredible 29-0 in his career, including three lightweight title defenses against three of the division’s biggest names — Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.

In October 2020, Nurmagomedov laid down his gold, announcing that he would be retiring from the sport following the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Nearly four years later, he continues to remain adamant that his days competing in a cage are over despite some pretty lucrative offers coming his way.

Recently, it was reported that he was offered a whopping $40 million to make a return at UFC 300.

Addressing rumors of a comeback at the promotion’s landmark event on April 13, Nurmagomedov revealed that his longtime manager, Ali Abdelaziz, had fielded a call from the UFC, but was quick to shut down any hope that he would strap on the four-ounce gloves ever again.

“I know they connected with Ali, but I told Ali… never call me about a fight,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. They never connect with me directly, but I know some people from the UFC connected with Ali, but I told them already once… I told them a lot of times — all the people that tried to bring me back — that I decided [to retire] in October 2020. It was my last fight and I will never change this.”

Since putting a cap on his own MMA career, Khabib Nurmagomedov has seen his friend and protege Islam Makhachev ascend to the top of the lightweight division, claiming the top prize with a stunning second-round submission victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.

Makhachev has defended the title twice, besting former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in back-to-back bouts, the most recent of which came in October. The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ is currently in the market for a new dance partner, but it is slim pickings with most of the division’s top dogs already booked elsewhere.

Khabib Nurmagomedov confused by the UFC’s recent handling of the lightweight division: ‘It makes no sense’

KhabibKhabib Nurmagomedov does not understand the UFC’s handling of the lightweight division as of late. After laying down the…

Khabib

Khabib Nurmagomedov does not understand the UFC’s handling of the lightweight division as of late.

After laying down the lightweight title and walking away from the sport in 2020, Nurmagomedov helped his friend and protege Islam Makhachev climb to the top of the division, claiming the 155-pound crown for himself. Since then, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ has defended the belt twice, both against former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.

Last defending the title in October, many assumed that Makhachev would return in the spring for a showdown with Justin Gaethje. However, those plans were seemingly scrapped — or at the very least put on hold — when the promotion announced that ‘The Highlight’ would battle Max Holloway in a BMF superfight at UFC 300.

As exciting as that sounds, Gaethje’s pairing with Holloway has left Makhachev in limbo — a decision that has Khabib Nurmagomedov scratching his head in confusion.

“All respect for Max Holloway, but I don’t know, and I don’t understand why UFC make this fight,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie following an appearance for Class A Events. “Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway: It makes no sense – (that’s) my opinion. My opinion, Holloway is supposed to fight with (Ilia) Topuria next, maybe September. Justin Gaethje is supposed to fight with Islam in May or June, and Tsarukyan vs. Oliveira, they fight in April. Whoever wins that (should be fighting) the winner of Islam vs. Justin Gaethje.

“Now, Topuria will fight with who? Movsar (Evloev) is the best option. I don’t know if Dana White will give him (a title shot). My opinion, he deserves this. I don’t understand. It makes no sense why they don’t give Islam (a fight with) Justin Gaethje, why they make him fight vs. Holloway.”

UFC CEO Dana White had previously stated that Makhachev was working through an injury, prompting the promotion to book Gaethje vs. Holloway and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan at the landmark event on April 13.

However, Islam Makhachev has remained adamant that he is ready to defend his title, leading to a stalemate with no clear path forward.

“I don’t understand what UFC have planned,” Nurmagomedov said. “But Islam ready to fight with anyone.”