"Thank you for everything, a true legend": how Russia reacted to the victory of Nurmagomedov and his desire to end his career

"A worthy point to end a career, brother."

The victory of Khabib Nurmagomedov over Justin Gaji and the subsequent announcement of his retirement became the main event of the last days in the world of sports.

And the tears of a Russian right in the octagon did not leave anyone indifferent.

The athlete himself, a couple of hours later, posted on his Instagram page a photo with his deceased father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and thanked him for everything. 

“When the Almighty is with you, nothing will break you, absolutely nothing,” wrote Nurmagomedov.

View this post on Instagram

Publication from Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) Oct 24, 2020 4:04 am PDT

And the champion's coach Javier Mendes admitted that in the fight with Gatji Khabib acted according to his father's plan.

“Khabib dedicates this victory to his father.

We all loved Abdulmanap, he will always be with us ", - quotes Mendes TASS. 

Meanwhile, the athlete's uncle Nurmagomed Nurmagomedov told TASS that in the coming days the nephew is not going to fly to Russia, but will rest after the fight.

However, according to a relative of the champion, the Eagle can still return to the octagon. 

“The announcement of the retirement was expected, one might say.

And so it was planned.

Can Khabib come back?

If there is an exclusive offer for a big fight, why not?

Dana White talked about a similar surprise.

We'll see, ”added Nurmagomed Nurmagomedov. 

And family friend of the UFC champion Ramazan Rabadanov told what kind of business Khabib can carry away if his career ends.

He suggested that the 32-year-old athlete will start a new promotion, in which he will already play the role of his father. 

“I didn’t expect such a decision from Khabib.

I thought that he would wait for a promoted fighter, but, apparently, in this weight he would have to wait a long time.

But there is one thing - Khabib can replace his father for the fighters and launch a new promotion.

Manap's dream was to create an international center for training fighters in Makhachkala with a base in the mountains.

Maybe this will be done by Khabib, "- quotes Rabadanov" Championship ".

In turn, Khabib's teammate, UFC fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov, posted on Instagram a fragment of the broadcast of the fight with Gatji, in which the gloves removed by the champion are very symbolic on the floor of the octagon.  

“A worthy point to end a career, brother,” wrote Magomedsharipov.

And UFC bantamweight champion Pyotr Yan admitted that he did not expect the fight with Gaethji to end so quickly.

The Russian stressed that the native of Dagestan, although he missed the punches, with active pressure made the opponent get tired quickly.   

“The task was to press and not let him breathe, so that Gatji would get hooked functionally.

Khabib won with a class - work in a standing position, various attacks on the ground.

Everything is clear ", - quotes the words of Yana" R-Sport ". 

“I am proud that our children have someone to focus on”

But the greatest discussion was caused not even by the fight itself, but by Nurmagomedov's statement about retirement at the age of 32.

Many colleagues of the invincible athlete admitted that his decision surprised them.

For example, the famous MMA fighter Vitaly Minakov noted that such an act of the champion came as a complete surprise to him.

“I respect the decision of Khabib, as I respect the fact that he still fought today.

Khabib has done more than we think.

This is not just a legacy in sports.

I am proud that our children have someone to focus on, ”Sport24 quotes Minakova. 

Eduard Vartanyan also expressed surprise at the decision of Nurmagomedov.

He suggested that the champion had lost motivation to pursue a career, and also called him "a man of his word." 

“Will he come back for a 30-0 record like Conor McGregor?

Hard to tell.

Look at his emotions after the fight, they are sincere.

But hunger can still wake up.

Khabib would like to wish only the very best.

Thank him for everything, he is a real legend, ”Vartanyan noted.

And Alexander Shlemenko admitted that "he is still in shock" after the words of Nurmagomedov, since earlier he had repeatedly noted that he wants to win 30 victories in mixed martial arts and end his career with a beautiful record.

“I did not expect to see the psychological mood in which Khabib was.

I have been following Nurmagomedov for a long time, his statements.

Undoubtedly, he wanted to make 30-0, but all his wins were for two, for him and his father.

It seems to me that it will be difficult for Nurmagomedov to continue without his father, ”Shlemenko stressed. 

However, according to some fighters, Khabib can still return to the octagon and continue his performances in mixed martial arts after a while.

For example, ex-Bellator fighter Sergei Kharitonov recalled that many record holders ended their careers, but later returned to the sport. 

“Every athlete has his own age.

Apparently, Khabib felt that it was time to leave.

Maybe he did the right thing.

He chose what is more important to him - this is a personal matter for each person.

On the other hand, so many record holders ended their careers and returned.

Who knows, maybe he will come back? "

- quotes Kharitonov's words "Championship".  

As for the fight itself, according to the fighter, it was completely dictated by the Russian.

In his opinion, Nurmagomedov could well have forced Gaji to surrender in the first round, but he simply did not have enough time.

“In the second, Khabib finished without any problems what he had begun by suffocating.

Gaethje worked as number two, hoping to move the fight to later rounds.

But the plan did not work, Khabib squeezed him out, and the American was constantly moving back.

In a word - dry.

The fight would not have lasted more than three rounds, ”Kharitonov added.  

Finally, Alexander Emelianenko advised Nurmagomedov not to rush out of mixed martial arts in order to bring the record to 30-0 and defend the UFC lightweight championship belt for the fourth time.

At the same time, the fighter noted that even if Khabib finally ends his career, he will find a job to his liking, since "he provided himself for the rest of his life."  

“If I were in his place, I would not be in a hurry, thought it over well, talked at home with my mother.

It seems to me that he announced his departure very early.

Maybe he won't go away and fight some more.

It was said in the heat of the moment.

Nurmagomedov has no rivals in his weight.

He is young.

Khabib can defend his title many times.

Many fighters left the sport and returned.

Even Fedor (Emelianenko. -

) announced that he would no longer perform, but still fought afterwards, "the athlete quotes Vseprosport.

At the same time, Emelianenko Jr. refused to call Nurmagomedov "the greatest fighter of the UFC."

In his opinion, more prominent champions remained in the history of the planet's leading promotion. 

“There were those who held belts in several weight categories and those who defended heavyweight titles.

Khabib is just a good fighter, "Emelianenko stressed.

"Touched by His Tears"

Supported by Nurmagomedov after the fight with Gatji and representatives of other sports.

In particular, the former absolute world boxing champion Konstantin Tszyu admitted that he was touched by the tears of his compatriot in the octagon.

“It was a super fight.

I am very happy for Khabib and for the fact that he returned.

Touched by his tears, which were probably dedicated to the Pope.

He deserved to win.

With his victory, "- said Tszyu.

And the famous promoter Andrei Ryabinsky emphasized that Nurmagomedov "forever inscribed his name in the history of martial arts."

The players did not stay away from the historical event.

After the victory over Krasnodar in the 12th round of the RPL, the Spartak players watched the fight between Nurmagomedov and Gatji in full force right in the locker room.

Midfielder Zelimkhan Bakaev and team captain Georgy Dzhikia celebrated the victory of the Russian especially vigorously.

Forward Alexander Kokorin did not stand aside either. 

“It was an interesting fight.

Gaji hit Khabib on the leg, he even began to limp.

Everyone was waiting for the fight to begin.

There were no doubts, but Khabib's opponent is really good.

At some point, Nurmagomedov realized that it was time to strangle him, and he did it.

I liked the fight, "Kokorin said in an interview with Sport-Express. 

View this post on Instagram

Publication from FC Spartak Moscow (@fcsm_official) Oct 24, 2020 3:37 PDT

In turn, Rubin's midfielder Dmitry Tarasov admitted that he was touched by Nurmagomedov's speech after the fight.

Khabib was also congratulated in the official account of the Russian national football team on Instagram.  

“Khabib is the best.

Eagle's 29th victory.

Congratulations.

This was Khabib's last fight.

Legend, ”the message says.

View this post on Instagram

Publication of the Russian national football team (@teamrussia) Oct 24, 2020 at 1:52 PDT

And the head coach of the national team, Stanislav Cherchesov, in his official account called the fighter "the real son of his FATHER."

View this post on Instagram

Publication by Stanislav Cherchesov (@ stanislav.cherchesov.official) Oct 24, 2020 3:50 am PDT