Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov is a Russian professional MMA fighter of Avar descent. He is the reigning undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion and a two-time Combat Sambo World Champion. With 27 victories, he has the longest undefeated run in MMA and remains undefeated in professional MMA.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Biography

 Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov was born on September 20, 1988, in Russia’s Kizilyurtovsky District. He was the second of three children born to war veteran and distinguished athlete Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

Mogamed, his older brother, and Amina, his younger sister, were his siblings. When he was 17, his father began teaching him to fight sambo. His family eventually relocated to Kiev, Ukraine, where he finished his education.

Khabib Nurmagomedov MMA Career

In 2008, Nurmagomedov began his MMA career by competing in Russia. After compiling a record of 16-0 in Russia and Ukraine, Khabib joined the UFC in 2011. In 2012, he fought for the first time against Kamal Shalorus.

In the following years, he defeated combatants such as Gleison Tibau, Thiago Tavares, Abel Trujillo, and Pat Healy, primarily through TKOs and submissions. After defeating Rafael dos Anjos in 2014, Nurmagomedov began to seek a title chance. He defeated Darrell Horcher, Michael Johnson, and Edson Barboza before facing Al Iaquinta for the championship.

He won the fight and was subsequently crowned the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Khabib effectively defended his title against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje over several years. In 2020, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement. Despite numerous failed attempts, Khabib has never confronted Tony Ferguson, another powerful contender for the Lightweight championship.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Fighting Style

Khabib relies exclusively on his fighting skills. After taking his opponent to the ground, Nurmagomedov prevents them from using their arms and legs to defend themselves while attacking them. He is also known for conversing with his opponents while his grappling technique has them “tied.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov Controversy

In 2018, Connor McGregor assaulted Khabib and several other combatants as they sat on a bus at the Barclays Center in New York City. Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg were injured when McGregor hurled a metal dolly at the bus, fracturing the windows and injuring both men. McGregor was ostensibly seeking retribution against Khabib for an earlier incident in which Nurmagomedov and his companions attacked Artem Lobov.

Lobov is a close acquaintance of McGregor. After McGregor departed, a warrant for his apprehension was issued. Then, Connor surrendered and was charged with three counts of assault & one count of criminal mischief. After Khabib defeated McGregor in 2018, he vaulted the octagon fence and attacked Connor’s cornerman, Dillon Danis. As a massive brawl erupted, McGregor attempted to exit the octagon, but Khabib’s cousin attacked him.

After the two had exchanged strikes, two of Nurmagomedov’s cornermen attacked Connor from behind. After the dust subsided, Khabib was not paid for the encounter. Despite the eventual release of his $2 million compensation, Nurmagomedov was required to pay a $500,000 fine. In addition, he was banned from the UFC for nine months. McGregor received a $50,000 sanction and a six-month suspension.