Justin Gaethje showed how great a person and athlete he is immediately after his defeat in the main event of the UFC 254 event in Abu Dhabi, where he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov by a triangle choke in the second round.
Khabib broke down immediately after the victory and cried, and the reason is the death of his father in June this year. He was his coach and leader throughout his career, but complications after heart surgery caused by coronavirus denied him the opportunity to be with his son for the rest of his career.
As soon as Gathje became conscious and saw Khabib crying on the ground Gaethje got up, came next to him, and tried to comfort him with a few words. Gathje revealed what he told to Khabib in those few seconds.
“I told him I didn’t have a chance so far, but that I was sorry for his father’s death. I told him he had made his father very proud,” the American fighter revealed.
After that, Khabib announced his retirement in a post-fight conversation with Jon Anik. He cited a promise to his mother, who does not want him to fight without the presence of his father, as the reason.
“I promised her and I have to keep my word,” Khabib said.
He retired as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He was never defeated and ended his career with a perfect 29-0.
There’s being a rumor surfaced somewhere that his father’s wish was to retire at a 30-0 score, but Khabib never confirmed this.
