Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wins ESPY for best MMA fighter

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s final fight earned him an ESPY Award for best MMA fighter.

The undefeated former UFC lightweight champion notched his third title defense in October 2020 when he submitted Justin Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254. Following the win, an emotional Nurmagomedov announced his retirement, and from his mother’s request vowed to no longer compete if he didn’t have his father in his corner. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father and longtime coach and cornerman, died in July 2020.

Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) beat out nominees and current UFC champions Francis Ngannou, Amanda Nunes and Rose Namajunas for the award, which was determined by fan voting. The 2021 ESPYs took place Saturday at The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport in New York.

The final performance of Khabib's career was enough to earn him another title: 2021 @ESPYS award winner for Best MMA Fighter pic.twitter.com/MTEAdrDQC8

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 11, 2021

“The Eagle” ended his career on a remarkable three-fight stretch in which he submitted Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Gaethje to go 13-0 in his UFC run. Despite UFC president Dana White attempting to lure Nurmagomedov back to competition on numerous occasions, the 32-year-old insists that he its retired. Nurmagomedov is currently helping his teammates out, playing a coaching role alongside American Kickboxing Academy’s head coach, Javier Mendez.