‘He Probably Felt Lonely’- Roy Jones Jr. on Khabib Nurmagomedov Retiring Early

The former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from combat sports after the death of his father last year. ‘The Eagle’ was at the peak of his professional MMA career and was undefeated when he hung up his gloves.

Nurmagomedov shocked the combat sports universe with his decision and many celebrities and famous athletes reacted to the same. One of them was the former professional boxer Roy Jones Jr.

In an interview with RT Sport MMA, Roy Jones Jr shared his opinion on the Nurmagomedov retirement decision. He said, “I mean for him it’s a whole different game for him it was something that he and his father shared. When he lost his father and tried to do without his father, he probably felt lonely and very different.”

“So for him, without his dad, half of him is gone anyway, so if he can’t get a full thing why go in there. Because this is people are, they’re not gonna worry about taking the ease on him because he’s not feeling. So they have to hurt him just fighting the hurt sport and he knows that so if he feels like half of him is there half of him is not he should never go back in the ring because you can’t go into half of you that could get you keep. So I totally understand and respect what he did, totally understand and respect,” he concluded.

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According to RJJ, the Dagestan native made the right decision as it would have been hard for Nurmagomedov to enter the octagon without his father in the corner. ‘The Eagle’ surely feels the absence of his beloved father.

Khabib Nurmagomedov shared a heartfelt note on his father’s death anniversary

Khabib Nurmagomedov lost his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Eagle’s father had been at his side throughout his professional MMA career.

‘The Eagle’ has only fought once after his father’s demise. He successfully defeated Justin Gaethje to defend his lightweight gold at UFC 254 and hung up his gloves forever. This was because Nurmagomedov promised his mother that he wouldn’t fight without his father by his side.

It has been one year since Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father passed away. The 32-year-old shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram post. It reflected the void that he feels without his father. ‘The Eagle’ wrote, “Today is already a year since the Father is not with us. This event increased my conviction that nothing in this world belongs to us, neither our children, nor our parents, nor our property. All we have is all temporary.”

Even though the combat fans are eager to see ‘The Eagle’ inside the octagon again, Nurmagomedov remains steadfast to the promise made to his mother. And it also seems that no one could take his father’s place. Hence, it is far from possible for the former champion to return to the octagon.

What do you make of Roy Jones Jr’s words? What are your thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s early retirement? Let us know in the comment section below.

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