D. White thinks K. Nurmagomedov's retirement from MMA is for real. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC
O UFC 254, held on Saturday (24), in Abu Dhabi, while it was historic, it was sad. In the event, Khabib Nurmagomedov defended the lightweight belt (70,3kg) by submitting Justin gaethje, in the second round, then announced his retirement from MMA and consequently left a hole in the sport. In addition to fans, friends and teammates, Dana White was also shaken.
The organization's president appeared with a resigned expression at the post-show press conference and, unlike many athletes who retire from the sport but return, believes that the former champion has made a definitive decision.
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“I haven't spoken to Khabib yet. I think everyone was worried about him at the weigh-in and the way he left the Octagon. He needed to take a deep breath. If the athlete wants to fight, I let him fight. If he doesn't want to fight, he doesn't have to. Let Khabib rest. He needs to recover not physically but emotionally. Khabib lost his father and I repeat: we were lucky to see him fight. I believe this retirement is real”, lamented Dana.
Despite the sadness, the UFC leader congratulated the Russian and praised his achievements in MMA.
“Congratulations, Khabib, for everything you have achieved and set out to do. You are the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the true best MMA fighter of all time. 29-0!”, he finished.
Khabib Nurmagomedov He retired at the age of 32, as UFC lightweight champion and without losing in his career. For Dana White, Daniel Cormier and Georges St-Pierre, the Russian is the greatest athlete in the history of the sport.
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