Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash NEWS Khabib Nurmagomedov Announces Retirement After Epic UFC 254 Defeat by Candace Cordelia October 26, 2020 23-year-old Khabib Nurmagomedov made a shocking retirement speech Saturday after defeating Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254. The undefeated Russian mixed martial artist stated post-fight, on-camera, “Today, I wanna say this was my last fight. Ain’t no way I’m going to come here without my father.” Khabib also revealed in his statement that prior to his fight against Gaethje, he, “promised her it’s gonna be my last fight.” “If I give my word, I have to follow this,” he added. Nurmagomedov’s title defense against Gaethje was his first fight without his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in July due to complications from COVID-19. Khabib posted a photo of himself posing with his dad on Instagram after his retirement announcement. In the caption he wrote, “When ALLAH with you, nobody can broke you, nobody. Thanks Father for everything, you teach all my life, may ALLAH grant you the highest paradise.” Khabib Respected Amongst Peers Many of Nurmagomedov’s peers and fans shared their well wishes and praise to the number one ranked pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world. Conor McGregor tweeted Saturday, “Good performance @TeamKhabib. I will carry on. Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and your family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors.” Jon Jones also tweeted Saturday, “I want to congratulate Khabib for an outstanding career. I know he made his father along with millions of fans around the world incredibly proud today. May God continue to bless him on his journey.” UFC Dana White also dubbed Khabib as the “P4P best fighter in the world” and the “G.O.A.T. of the sport.” Nurmagomedov (29-0) defeated Gaethje with a broken foot at one minute and 34 seconds of the fight’s second round. According to ESPN, Nurmagomedov is listed as the second fighter after Anderson Silva to forge a career in the UFC with 13 straight wins. InTheZone would like to congratulate Khabib on a tremendously dominant career. Post Views: 517 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Candace Cordelia Candace Cordelia has been an on-camera interviewer and writer for In The Zone since the Summer of 2020. Candace's journalism experience includes writing for the New York Daily News and ABC Radio, where she also conducted celebrity interviews and audio production/editing for ABC Radio's national radio affiliates across the country. Her on-camera experience involves working as a backstage/in-ring interviewer with a number of independent wrestling promotions and as an actress. Candace is dedicated to bringing combat sports and eSports news to the In The Zone universe. Latest posts by Candace Cordelia (see all) Debbie Keitel – An Empowering Voice & Talent of Her Wrestling Generation - March 31, 2021 “Wrestling’s Richest Prize” Darius Carter Talks Intergender Wrestling - March 25, 2021 Pro Wrestler Zack Clayton Wants to Be on Your TV Screen Every Week in 2021 - February 15, 2021 Two-Time WWE Women’s Champion Jazz is a Very Busy Woman - February 2, 2021 Related TopicsAbu DhabiConor McGregordana whiteFightsJon JonesJustin Gaethjekhabib NurmagomedovKhabib Nurmagomedov retirementmixed martial artsmmaNewspost-fightretirementspeechesufcUFC 254 Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics by Anthony Paradiso | posted on April 18, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) by Nicholas Durst | posted on April 19, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 110: New York Giants’ Insider Paul Dottino (Audio/Video) by Nicholas Durst | posted on April 21, 2021 Whoop Rewards Employees With $100 Each Month To Sleep by Inesh Chari | posted on March 22, 2021 More in NEWS French Officials Identify Over 400 Sports Figures Suspected of Sexual Violence Sixty people have faced criminal proceedings, and over 100 have been remove from their... Tim Peel is Discharged After Caught on Hot Mic Tim Peel was Discharged from the NHL After He was Caught on the Hot... Lebron James Leaves Coca-Cola To Sign With Pepsi Lebron James Leaves Coca-Cola To Sign With Pepsi To Be The Face Of Mountain... WNBA Rolling Out Red Carpet For Upcoming 25th Anniversary Season The WNBA’s 25th season also marks the debut of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Sydney Cummings Workouts Motivate and Inspire From Paramus High School to CBS Sports, Spero Dedes is making waves in sports broadcasting