UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov went through what can only be described as a utterly devastating tragedy over the summer, losing father Abdulmanap to complications stemming from COVID-19.
Losing a parent is never easy. But the loss of the highly influential Abdulmanap, a key player in the rise of mixed martial arts in Dagestan, and in his son’s training, have many keeping a watchful eye on the champ. Returning to action later this month, just months removed from saying goodbye to his father, there’s a question as to whether there will be any adverse effect on the fighter, who has previously seemed impervious.
It’s not a question Khabib, understandably, wants to deal with right now. “I don’t understand when people ask how difficult [it is], when you train without father. Of course this is difficult. I don’t understand why you guys keep asking this. Very difficult,” the lightweight champion said, bristling at the question put before him a UFC 254 media appearance on Thursday. He then turned it around on the reporter asking the question. “If something happened with [your father], what do you think, is it going to be difficult for you or easy?”
“I’m human too. Of course it’s very difficult,” Nurmagomedov added, answering one question while leaving others unanswered. If nothing else, it’s clear the loss of his father has effected him greatly. That’s to be expected, but whether it turns out to be a factor in his bout with Justin Gaethje in just a few week’s time remains to be seen.
Some have suggested Khabib vs. Gaethje could turn out to be a chess match. Gaethje himself seems to feel that way. “I don’t think it’s going to be a chess match. My fighting IQ is much better than Justin Gaethje,” responded Nurmagomedov, dismissing the notion. “He’s a tough guy, he likes fighting, he likes blood. A real warrior. But when we talk about fighting IQ, I think my fighting IQ is much better than [what] he has.”
Nurmagomedov, however, acknowledged that Gaethje has very good coaches. “I think, very good and very great coaches. Of course Justin can fight, he can go deep, he has heart, but if you’re talking about fighting IQ, I think I have much better than him.”
Gaethje isn’t exactly the last challenge left in the lightweight division for “The Eagle.” But at 28-0 and likely only a few fights away from finishing his career, what’s left is a big question.
“I don’t know. For example, I’m gonna finish Justin Gaethje inside the cage October 24. What else? This is very good question,” admited Khabib. No doubt it is. Nurmagomedov holds wins over many of the top names in the division. Conor McGregor. Dustin Poirier. Rafael Dos Anjos. Those he hasn’t faced — like Tony Ferguson, Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira — may not make it to a title shot before Khabib eventually retires, something he’s spoken of in the past.
“I love competition. I love competing with the best fighters in the world. That’s why I am here,” he continued. “I’m not in the UFC to make money. I have a lot of business projects outside the UFC, I can make money. Good question. Very good question.”
Retirement, however, does not appear to be on the table, the lightweight champion clarified. “Dana [White] told me after this fight, he has something special for me. But I told him, ‘please keep this, after the fight we’re going to talk.’ He said he has very big things after this fight for me. We’ll see.”
Watch the full UFC 254 media day press scrum with Khabib Nurmagomedov above. The event takes place October 24 on Fight Island (Yas Island) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
