Dana White pays tribute to Khabib Nurmagomedov after announcing his retirement at UFC 254
- Khabib Nurmagomedov successfully defended his UFC Lightweight title against Justin Gaethje
- The Russian won by Technical Submission to extend his unbeaten record to 29-0
- The Dagestani fighter would then make a shocking announcement of his retirement from the sport
Dana White pays tribute to Khabib Nurmagomedov after announcing his retirement at UFC 254.
The UFC President has paid tribute to Khabib Nurmagomedov after he announced his shock retirement following his UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje.
The Russian defeated Gaethje early in the second round of their Saturday night fight but revealed that victory was his last in MMA.
White also claimed that Khabib broke his foot three weeks ago and nearly did not take part in the UFC 254 contest this weekend, while it has also been revealed the Russian contracted mumps in the fight build-up.
Speaking to the press after the end of the show, White said:
‘What this guy has been through, we’re all lucky that we got to see him play tonight. Apparently he was in the hospital and broke his foot three weeks ago.
‘He’s got two broken toes and a bone in his foot that’s broken or something like that. That’s what his corner was telling me. He never told anybody and was walking around.
‘He is one of the toughest human beings on the planet. He’s the No 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and we seriously need to put him up there as a GOAT status.’
An emotional Khabib would make a shocking announcement that he was retiring from the sport.
I talk with my mother three days, she don’t want that I go fight without father. I promised her, it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this. It was my last fight here.
It has been a difficult few months for Khabib, who lost his father at the start of July due to coronavirus.
