Khabib Nurmagomedov retires from MMA after beating Gaethje

Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after taking down Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, retires from MMA

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Oct 24, 2020 5:17 PM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov took down Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Saturday, and he was overcome with emotion after his big win.

Nurmagomedov broke down after defeating Gaethje with a triangle choke in the second round and revealed Saturday's fight was his last in the UFC, saying he doesn't want to continue without his father, who died earlier this year of COVID-19.

Legendary. pic.twitter.com/adLnh73AMr
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020

"Today is my last fight here in UFC." #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/sq6R9LxN1i
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020

"No way I'm going to come here without my father." #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/Mra46AIius
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020

Nurmagomedov ends his historic UFC career with a 29-0 record, defeating stars like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Gaethje and more.

The 32-year-old says his decision to retire is final, and that it's not a publicity stunt — something that McGregor has done in the past.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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