An emotional Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his shock retirement immediately following his successful title defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning.
The lightweight champion, competing for the first time since his father died in July, saw off the interim champion via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum and then broke down in tears.
Speaking inside the octagon, Nurmagomedov confirmed he was stepping away from the sport, with an unbeaten record of 29-0.
"I promised my mother this is going to be my last fight," the Dagestani said. "I only want one thing from the UFC, I want to be the No 1 one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
"Thank you for these guys, these guys with me, been with my father for more than 10 years.
"All my team, AKA with coach Javier, I love him so much, all my team. Today, I want to say, this was my last fight. No way am I going to come here without my father.
"It was first time, after what happened with my father, when UFC called me about Justin. I talk with my mother for 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.
"I know only one thing I want from the UFC: you guys have to make me on No 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, because I deserve this. UFC undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion, 13-0, 13 in UFC, 29 in all pro MMA career. I think I deserve it.
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UFC 254: Khabib beats Gaethje in Abu Dhabi
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UFC 254 GALLERY: Dagestan fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje of the US after their lightweight title bout on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov clinches his victory over Justin Gaethje via a second-round triangle choke at Flash Forum. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes down Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov punches Justin Gaethje. Getty -
Khabib Nurmagomedov after his victory. Getty -
Australian fighter Robert Whittaker lands a punch during his victory over Jared Cannonier of the US in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Robert Whittaker after the fight against Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker. Getty -
Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier. Getty -
Dagestan's Magomed Ankalaev celebrates his KO victory over Ion Cutelaba of Moldova in their light heavyweight bout on UFC's Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev knocks down Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Magomed Ankalaev punches Ion Cutelaba. Getty -
Russian fighter Alexander Volkov celebrates his victory over Walt Harris of the US after their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Alexander Volkov punches Walt Harris. Getty -
Walt Harris punches Alexander Volkov. Getty -
US fighter Lauren Murphy celebrates her victory over Liliya Shakirova of Uzbekistan after their women's flyweight bout. Getty -
Lauren Murphy punches Liliya Shakirova. Getty -
Liliya Shakirova and Lauren Murphy during their bout. Getty -
US fighter Phillip Hawes lands a punch during his 18-second victory over Jacob Malkoun of Australia in their middleweight bout. Getty -
Phillip Hawes punches Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Phillip Hawes celebrates his KO victory over Jacob Malkoun. Getty -
Kazakhstan's Shavkat Rakhmonov on his way to victory over Alex Oliveira of Brazil in their welterweight bout. Getty -
Alex Oliveira lands a kick on Shavkat Rakhmonov. Getty -
American fighter Casey Kenney lands a punch and his way to victory over Nathaniel Wood of England in their catchweight bout. Getty -
Nathaniel Wood punches Casey Kenney. Getty -
Australian Tai Tuivasa lands a punch on Stefan Struve of the Netherlands on his way to victory in their heavyweight bout. Getty -
Stefan Struve lands a kick on Tai Tuivasa. Getty
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"All this UFC team, everybody around the world, this whole pandemic stuff, they are doing a great show. Thank you so much Justin. Justin, in 2016 I remember when I cut weight, you helped me a lot. Thank you brother. I know you are a great man, I know how you take care of your people.
"I know a lot of things about of you, because of your parents, because one day, it’s going to happen something. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow, you never know.
"Today is my last fight here in UFC. It was my father’s dream. Dustin [Poirier] and Conor [McGregor] are going to fight in January – I choked them out, both of them. I’m not interested in this."
Making his first competitive appearance in 13 months, he will now surely be considered the promotion's lead pound-for-pound athlete having amassed 13 wins from 13 outings.
That streak meant Nurmagomedov possessed, however briefly given his retirement, the longest active winning streak in the promotion.
UFC 254 brought to a close “Return to Fight Island”, the five-event series in the capital.
