Khabib Nurmagomedov was born on September 20, 1988, in the village of Sildi in Dagestan, Russia, a region known for producing world-class wrestlers.
He began training in wrestling at the age of eight, under the guidance of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who was a respected martial arts coach.
Khabib made his professional MMA debut in 2008 and quickly amassed an undefeated record, earning him a reputation as one of the most promising fighters in the sport.
Khabib Nurmagomedov signed with the UFC in 2011 and made his debut in 2012, where he dominated his opponent with his signature grappling and ground-and-pound style.
Khabib holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in MMA, retiring with a perfect record of 29-0, the longest unbeaten run in UFC history.
He won the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2018 by defeating Al Iaquinta, becoming the first Russian and first Muslim to hold a UFC title.
Khabib's fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in 2018 became the highest-grossing pay-per-view event in UFC history, with over 2.4 million buys.
He is known for his incredible cardio and relentless pressure, often wearing down his opponents with his suffocating grappling and relentless pace.
Khabib is deeply religious and adheres to Islamic principles, which guide his lifestyle, training, and decisions both inside and outside the octagon.
Despite his fierce persona in the ring, Khabib Nurmagomedov is known for his humility and respect for his opponents, often praising them after a fight.
After his father's passing in 2020, Khabib made a promise to his mother that he would retire from MMA, which he honored after his final fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Khabib is a staunch advocate for education and youth development, often speaking to young people about the importance of discipline, hard work, and staying true to one's values.
He has a strong connection to his Dagestani roots and often returns to his homeland to train, spend time with his family, and support local communities.
In 2021, Khabib was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in the sport's history.
Since retiring, Khabib Nurmagomedov has focused on coaching, business ventures, and promoting MMA events, continuing to contribute to the sport he dominated for so many years.