Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has admitted that his win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in 2018 was the most important of his career.
Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates McGregor victory
Nurmagomedov was inducted into the UFC Hall Of Fame yesterday, where he delivered his induction speech, reflecting on his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
During his speech, “The Eagle” admitted that his 2018 win over rival Conor McGregor was the most important of his career by suggesting, although finishing up his career undefeated, he could’ve lived with losing any of those fights – except his fight against the Irishman.
“It was here – this arena – Oct. 6, 2018,” Nurmagomedov said (via MMA Junkie). “Biggest fight in MMA history. I’m very happy I win this fight. I can lose any of my fights. But no way this fight.”
The fight between Nurmagomedov and McGregor was one of the most anticipated in the promotion’s history. It set pay-per-view (PPV) records and also left fans with a ton of controversy to end the night.
Although Nurmagomedov decisively defeated “The Notorious,” a few of “The Eagle’s” teammates jumped into the Octagon and attacked McGregor after Nurmagomedov himself jumped out of the cage and leapt at McGregor cornerman Dillon Danis.
Nurmagomedov would fight only two more times after that, both submission victories to retain his 155-pound throne, before deciding to retire shortly after the passing of his father.
As for McGregor, he has no indications of retiring anytime soon, despite claiming to do so several times before. In fact, he’s currently on the mend from a broken leg suffered in his last outing against Dustin Poirier.
He’s expected to return to fighting action at the end of 2022 or in the beginning of 2023.