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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 10/24/20

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. 

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.

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