Former UFC lightweight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov, unlike so many other great champions in MMA, retired on top. He continues to be courted by the top promoters in combat sports (including this unlikely ally), but won’t break the retirement promise he made to his mother.
Nurmagomedov is also head coach and mentor for reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. There’s a rumor floating around that Makhachev may follow “The Eagle’s” lead and call it quits with a victory over Ian Machado
Garry at UFC 330 this weekend in Philadelphia.
That all depend’s on momma’s foot.
“Islam may retire,” UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan, said on his official podcast. “He may retire. He’s done a lot. He’s competed in two different weight classes and won world championships in two different weight classes. If he beats Ian, if he submits Ian and says, ‘I’ve had enough, I’m going to do what Khabib did, and I’m going to coach now,’ I could see that. And then I could see (Michael) Morales and (Carlos) Prates for the (expletive) undisputed title.”
Somebody needs to tell these mom-agers to settle down.
A victory over Garry will give Makhachev (28-1) title defenses in two different weight classes. Whether or not that qualifies him for “GOAT” status depends on who you ask, but Morales is already tasked with backup duties for UFC 330 and may (or may not) end up as the next title challenger, regardless of Saturday night’s outcome.
For the finalized UFC 330 fight card and Paramount+ lineup click here.
