UFC veteran and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is a man who has made an enormous impact in his and as well as other people’s life. Starting in Dagestan to conquering the entire MMA world, he has seen everything.
Even though he has retired now, his fans and admirers are always flocking around him wherever he goes. It doesn’t really matter in which part of the world he lives, they will always surround him.
In a recent video posted on Instagram by a fellow fighter, Deron Winn, we could see Khabib surrounded by his fans. The Dagestani juggernaut interacted with his patient fans in a heartwarming gesture. People gathered around him to get his autograph on whatever they had in hand.
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Winn, while recording, said that although he doesn’t really record or post such things, he couldn’t help himself this time around as he was overwhelmed by their craze.
Winn mentioned they were coming out of a workout session. ‘The Eagle’ has taken up more of a background role, where he mentors his pals such as Islam Makhachev and also legends like Luke Rockhold. He is alumni of AKA gym (American Kickboxing Academy), which also had the likes of Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov says he felt like getting out of jail after retirement
It’s a general opinion that Khabib retired too soon from MMA. He last fought against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 and successfully defended his gold before announcing retirement.
‘The Eagle’ believes that was the right decision he had taken at that time. “I am living the life of an ordinary person, not the one of a professional athlete,” Nurmagomedov said.
“I think living the life of an athlete is somewhat close to being held in a prison. Because every day he has to do exactly the same thing — train, rest, then train again, then rest. It’s like living in the same mode, at the same pace, not slowing down.
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“Once you slow down, you are no longer a champion. So I have just released myself from this prison in a way,” he added.
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While Khabib has time and again said he won’t be returning, there is a glimmer of hope in the minds of his fans that ‘The Eagle’ will soar and land in the octagon in the near future.
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What did you make of Khabib’s interaction with his fans?