As Khabib Nurmagomedov bowed out of UFC, Dana White hailed 'one of the toughest human beings on the planet'.The 32-year-old put in an incredible performance to beat Justin Gaethje via a triangle choke at UFC 254.And while there's no doubt the Dagestani legend has plenty more in his locker, he revealed immediately after the fight that he would be keeping his word to his family and retiring.It was a night full of emotion for Khabib, who wept on the canvas and subsequently paid tribute to his father.Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, his trainer and confidant, passed away in July due to COVID-19 complications at the age of 57.The lightweight champion, who leaves with a 29-0 record, has always acknowledged the huge impact his dad had on his career. The news of his passing followed an initial heart attack, emergency bypass surgery, and Abdulmanap twice being placed into a medically-induced coma. After pulling out of the Gaethje fight at UFC 253, it has taken incredible strength for the Eagle to return to the Octagon, over a year on from his victory over American Dustin Poirier. And UFC paid tribute to Khabib's special relationship with his father with an emotional video following his retirement.
Not a dry eye in the house.
Confirming this was to be his last fight, he explained to the UFC's media team:
"This was my last fight. No way I can come here without my father.
"I promise it will be my last fight. If I give my word, I have to follow this."
It's been a deeply traumatic year for the Nurmagomedov family and Khabib did them all proud on his final appearance in the Octagon.