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‘Not Easy’- Khabib Nurmagomedov Explains Rejecting $40 Million to Quit the UFC

Published 10/30/2023, 12:15 AM EDT

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In the sport of blood, we as fans witnessed a fighter who barely suffered a scratch in his entire career, Khabib Nurmagomedov. This Dagestani fighter has indelibly inscribed his name within the annals of MMA history as the paramount lightweight fighter to have ever graced the hallowed octagon of the UFC. Nurmagomedov’s legacy and records are yet to be challenged by any individual in the realm of UFC.

The ‘Eagle’ was at the top of his career when he took the heartfelt decision to step away from the world of MMA following the passing of his mentor and father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov not only retired from fighting but also left behind the wealth associated with it, and this is what truly cements his status as a legendary figure.

Prioritizing happiness over wealth: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s noble retirement decision

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The passing of his father weighed heavily on Khabib Nurmagomedov. He had never wanted to compete in fighting without his father by his side. In multiple interviews, he made it clear that no amount of money could entice him to step into the UFC octagon without his father. His commitment to his mother also played a significant role in his decision to retire.

Notable, Nurmagomedov left behind a considerable amount of money when he retired. During a recent interaction with the analysts of UFC on UFC’s YouTube channel, ‘Eagle’ emphasized the difficulty behind his decision. He said, “When you’re the best fighter in the world, when you’re strong enough, when you have money when you’re famous, it’s very hard to say no to all these things.”

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He further added “It’s not easy to just say no to 20, 30, 40 million, but for myself, it’s not everything. This is not the most important. It was not an easy decision, but if I decide, I just decide. It’s finished. I leave this alone. I am happy and, like I never regret with my decision, never.” Making the decision to retire was not easy for him but ultimately prioritizing what truly made him happy took precedence. It is common thinking that with money people often change for bad, but this was not the case for ‘Eagle’.

A positive transformation in the life of Khabib Nurmagomedov after acquiring wealth

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In an insightful Q&A session, Javier Mendez was probed about the transformative effects of wealth and fame on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s persona. In his articulate reply, the seasoned mentor unequivocally affirmed that Khabib had, indeed, undergone notable metamorphoses in his life – yet, these changes defy conventional expectations.

The Coach stated “Yes, he did change. He did change 100%. He became more generous… He became more generous, a bit more kind to people. He was always kind but he became better with people. With more money he became better.” the information is not a surprise to UFC fans since Nurmagomedov has always been humble since his inception on the UFC roster.

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What are your opinions on Khabib Nurmagonedov’s nature? Tell us in the comments below

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Written by:

Suryakant Das

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Suryakant Das is a UFC Writer at EssentiallySports. Combining his wealth of experience as a news writer and content lead with his passion for all things MMA, Suryakant brings a unique blend of reliable reporting and stylistic storytelling to his readers. His favorite fighter is Charles Oliveira, and he draws inspiration from the Brazilian MMA star’s underdog to world champion story for his own aspirations in life.
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Edited by:

Joyita Das