UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the year.
The winner was decided via a public poll and the Dagestani star was able to beat the likes of Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, American basketball great LeBron James, American golfer Dustin Johnson, French footballer Wendie Renard, and Irish boxer Katie Taylor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov last fought at UFC 254 in October earlier this year against Justin Gaethje and defeated him via submission in the second round. It was his first fight since the loss of his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the sport after beating Justin Gaethje and amassing a professional record of 29-0 with going on an undefeated 13-fight winning streak in the UFC.
“I talked to my mother three days (ago). She didn’t want me to go fight without (my) father, but I promised her it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this
“It was my last fight. I know only one thing I want from the UFC – you guys have to put me number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, because I deserve this.” Khabib said after his win over Gaethje at UFC 254.
Dana White to meet Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 257 fight week
UFC president Dana White is set to meet Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 257 fight week next month. White is confident that the Dagestani star will come out of retirement and accomplish his aim of going 30-0 inside the Octagon.
“I think his dad wanting him to get to 30-0 is in the back of his mind, and he wants to achieve that because he knew his father wanted it,” White told BT Sport. “But we’ll see. Him and I are getting together next month and talk. He might not want to fight, I don’t know the answer to that. But I’m a little confident that I can talk him into it.”
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