Khabib Nurmagomedov will officially become the first UFC competitor to enter the UFC’s hall of fame in 2022. This is not something fresh new, since it has been mentioned back in March, after the UFC 272 event. However, now the time has come for the matter to become official.
Nurmagomedov has one of the most exciting and most successful mixed martial arts careers in the history of the sport. His decision to retire comes suddenly and without any prior hints that might prepare the public about it. He retires without a defeat holding an impressive record of 29-0-0. He has a great rate of wins by submission or knockout as well. Only 10 fights in his career are decision wins.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Be Introduced To UFC’s Hall Of Fame Ahead Of UFC 276 Event
Before signing up for the UFC, Nurmagomedov had 16 consecutive wins. And it was clear that he is not signing in to have an ‘average’ career. In his debut fight, back in 2011 he dominates Kamal Shalorus and wins by submission in the third round.
The promotion knew that they had something special, but it was not until 2018 that they decide to give him a title shot. Most probably because they knew there is no one that can win against him. Once he grasps the title, he holds it for three years until his retirement.
“Khabib is one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in professional sports.” – UFC President Dana White says. “No one dominated their opponents that way Khabib did, and to retire undefeated, as lightweight champion and the #1 pound-for-pound athlete in the world is an incredible accomplishment. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”
But, as you are all aware, success in the UFC is not how many titles, or for how long do you hold them. It is how much money you can generate and how much attention you bring with your presence.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is involved in the biggest event in the history of the UFC. The one that generated the greatest number of pay-per-view buys, topping at 2.4 million sales. It put the previous record holder in its shadow since it overcomes it by amazing 1 million pay-per-view buys. For the most popular UFC fight, Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Conor McGregor by submission.
“The reality is there is only one Khabib Nurmagomedov.” – Michael Bisping, the UFC commentator says. “And there may never be another one. Retired at 29-0-0, undefeated, undisputed, and it is arguable that he never even lost a round in the UFC. For those reasons, and many more, without a shadow of a doubt, Nurmagomedov should be in the UFC Hall of Fame.”
