Justin Gage suffered a brutal beating at the hands of Habib, thereby ending his professional career.
In a dramatic turn of events at UFC 254 in October, Russian mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement following his victory over American Justin Gaethje. The decisive bout ended in the second round with Nurmagomedov applying a rear-naked choke.
This was the third successful defense of Nurmagomedov's UFC lightweight title, following his previous wins against former champions Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. With a record of 29-0, the undefeated fighter is a formidable presence in the MMA world. Gaethje, who became interim champion in May 2020 after defeating Tony Ferguson, boasts 22 wins and 3 losses.
In an emotional post-fight interview, Nurmagomedov shared his intentions to retire, citing a promise he made to his mother. After the passing of his father and trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib had vowed to spend more time with his mother and honor her wishes.
Gaethje, who conceded defeat, acknowledged Nurmagomedov's superiority and expressed understanding towards his retirement decision. With Poirier and McGregor set to face off, Gaethje asserted that he is ready to claim the next title shot should it become available.
Noteworthy is the fact that Khabib's decision to retire came shortly after the passing of his father in July 2020. While some speculate that factors like grueling weight cuts may have influenced his decision, the primary reason appears to be his commitment to his family.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the undefeated mixed-martial-arts champion, announced his retirement from sports after his victorious UFC lightweight title defense against Justin Gaethje in October. His decision to retire was largely due to a promise he made to his mother, following the passing of his father and trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in July.
