How far can you go for your mother? Well, Khabib Nurmagomedov gave up his UFC lightweight belt and his undefeated career. No doubt, it was a tearjerking moment not just for the Dagestani, but the fans too. He had just lost his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and it was the first (and last) fight that he fought without his father cornering him. The pain was clear when Nurmagomedov wasn’t able to stop his tears following the win at UFC 254. But there was another reason that pulled ‘The Eagle’ out of the Octagon. And it was his promise to his mother. 

Needless to say, Nurmagomedov has immense respect and a beautiful relationship with his mother. He has often talked about it in his interviews. But what exactly did ‘The Eagle’ promise his mother that brought him to the road of retirement and the safety of his family’s embrace?

What promise did Khabib make to his mother?

During the Octagon interview of UFC 254, after Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje via second-round submission, ‘The Eagle’ laid down his gloves on the canvas. He said, “It was first time after what happened with my father. When UFC called me with Justin, I talked with my mother three days. She don’t (want me) to go fight without father, but I promised her it’s gonna be my last fight. And if I give my word, I have to follow this.”

It was nothing short of an emotional moment for the Dagestani legend. Right after the fight, Justin Gaethje told Khabib Nurmagomedov that he indeed made his father proud. But this wasn’t the only promise the former undefeated UFC lightweight champion made to his mother. And yes, he intended to keep every single promise. So what was the other oath that he swore?

At a Class A Events conversation in Toronto, back in 2022, Nurmagomedov revealed that it was his core values and respect for his mother that made him stick to his promise. He said, “Because of I finish my career, because I promise mother, that’s why this one question, discussion between me and my mother become very famous. Not only this promise. I follow not only this promise to my mother. I follow everything about mother.”

‘The Eagle’ claimed that one can have many friends and children, and whatnot. But there will always be just one mother in one’s life. And that’s what made mothers so special. And for him, it was everything. He pointed out that treating one’s mother well could lead to ‘Jannah’. And unlike many modern families, Nurmagomedov lives with his mother under the same roof and treats her like the queen that she is. 

While the relationship between Nurmagomedov and his mother is a beautiful one, netizens have often wondered about the kind of conversations they had. Well, there was a time when ‘The Eagle’ revealed one of the advice that his mother had for him.

Khabib remembers important advice from his mother

As a child, ‘The Eagle’ would often engage in street fights. While this would worry almost every other mother, the Nurmagomedov family was a bit different. The former lightweight champ once revealed, “When I fight in street and come back, she ask me like, she never asked me why you fight. My mother always ask me you lose or win? She don’t like hurt people, but she knows like street is street.”

She had one condition for the young Nurmagomedov. Even though street fights lacked the rules, referees, and security, the UFC star’s mother asked him to never return home with a defeat. It was indeed a hilarious condition, but it had the strength and belief of a mother hidden behind it. But when it came to fights in the Octagon, his mother would certainly get nervous. 

Following his victory over Gleison Tibau at UFC 148, ‘The Eagle’ disclosed how his mother felt about his fight, during an interview with Ariel Helwani. He dedicated his victory to his mother and revealed that she hadn’t slept for almost a week because she was nervous about her son’s fight.

What do you think of Nurmagomedov’s promise? Do you think he could have expanded his legacy had he not opted for retirement? Drop down to the comments section below and keep the conversation flowing.