Khabib Nurmagomedov is the reigning UFC lightweight champion. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed which UFC bout got him dreaming of the lightweight title.
Khabib Nurmagomedov officially retired last month, after deciding to hang up his gloves at UFC 254. He will go down in history of the UFC, as one of the greatest to ever grace the octagon, if not, the greatest.
With 29 wins and no losses, Khabib made his UFC debut against Kamal Shalorus at UFC on FX in January 2012, and took it like duck to water.
He went on a thirteen fight win streak before retiring, which included three title defenses, with notable victories against Conor McGregor, a prime Rafael dos Anjos, Dustin Poirier, to name a few.
And recently, Khabib revealed which UFC fight got him dreaming of the lightweight title.
ESPN MMA had posted a throwback video (April 20, 2013), where notable names like Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Melendez made their debuts. Melendez took on a prime Benson Henderson for the UFC Lightweight title that day.
Khabib left a comment on the post saying that he was in the arena when Benson and Melendez squared off, adding that it was the fight which got him dreaming of the title which he got hold of 5 years later.
His comment read:
“I was in arena. At that time they fought ( Benson vs Melendez ) for the lightweight title. I dreamed and watched.”
Henderson went on to win the title, only to lose his title in his next fight against Anthony Pettis, who then went on to defend the title against Melendez in his next bout.
Khabib was recently inducted into the champion wall of the American Kickboxing Academy gym which is run by his coach Javier Mendez. The wall features some of the greats who have trained at the AKA gym.
Mendez revealed that it was proud to have the Russian represent the AKA gym. The Russian’s induction into the wall, comes just a month after his official retirement.
Khabib cheekily thanked his coach saying that only now he likes him.
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