Khabib Nurmagomedov thought of retiring years earlier than he grew to become UFC champion.
Nurmagomedov’s profession was riddled with accidents early on, which stored him out of motion for greater than two years from 2014 to 2016. It was a irritating time for undefeated Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) to have to observe the light-weight division transfer on with out him.
The truth is, it was so irritating that Nurmagomedov began questioning if it was God’s plan for himto stroll away. Nevertheless, Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, made positive that didn’t occur.
“It was hardest time in my profession, like skilled profession, as a result of I bear in mind once I dominated Rafael dos Anjos (and) after that I broke my leg. I had ACL surgical procedure,” Nurmagomedov mentioned on the “Encourage Me Podcast.” “After that, dos Anjos grew to become champion, and I attempted to return again. I tore yet one more time ACL and yet one more surgical procedure. I attempted to return again. I broke my ribs.
“After that I attempted to comeback. I had surgical procedure on my again. It was a really laborious time, and I bear in mind I used to be speaking with my father, ‘Perhaps it is a sign from God you need to cease.’ He instructed me, ‘You can not hand over. When you will have some take a look at you need to present your toughness in case you’re powerful. In the event you’re not powerful you simply can provide up, and that’s it.’”
Abdulmanap confirmed his son powerful love. The legendary coach was going to achieve his objective it doesn’t matter what and left the choice to Nurmagomedov on whether or not or not he will likely be part of his story.
“I bear in mind he instructed me, ‘If you wish to go, you need to go,’” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “‘If not, anyhow, I’m going to have a UFC champion. With you or with out you, I’m going to make somebody a UFC champion.’ This gave me like loopy power. Like if my father desires, who has to do that if I’m not? And this gave me loopy power. I simply hold going, hold going. I simply come again and after that, what occurred? That is all historical past.”
Nurmagomedov took his father’s recommendation and returned in 2016 with vengeance. He captured the UFC light-weight title in 2018 and defended it thrice with finishes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje earlier than retiring in October 2020.
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