During his near decade of dominance in the UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov embarked on a historic title run, which included a memorable win over a fan-favorite star.
Finally reaching the summit of the sport with a vacant title fight win over Al Iaquinta back in 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov had earned the lightweight crown at the first time of asking, improving his record to 26-0.
And going on to take out long-time rival and historic enemy Conor McGregor in his immediate return, Nurmagomedov would join an exclusive list in his return to the Octagon.
Taking on the then-interim lightweight kingpin, Nurmagomedov received just his second Octagon outing outside of the United States in a bout much closer to home.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov forced Dustin Poirier to tears after dominant UFC 242 win
Attempting to unify the lightweight crowns, Nurmagomedov travelled to Abu Dhabi to take on then-interim gold holder Dustin Poirier in a high-profile showdown.
And on this day in 2019, the Dagestani would join a select few lightweight champions in Octagon antiquity, registering his second defense of the divisional crown.
Eventually going on to break the record for the most successful title defenses with his win over Justin Gaethje a year later, Nurmagomedov would first steamroll through Poirier.
Beyond an early flurry from the Lafayette striker, Nurmagomedov took Poirier’s back in the third round, cranking and searching for a rear-naked choke in dominant fashion.
Exchanging fight kits and donating to Poirier’s charitable foundation after the fight, Nurmagomedov would prevail once more, with the challenger succumbing to tears in emotional fashion during his post-fight press conference.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s emotional retirement
Just a year after his submission win over Poirier, Nurmagomedov — who was at the absolute peak of his powers in the Octagon — had hung up his gloves for good.
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Submitting the above-mentioned Gaethje in a rabid performance in the Middle East once more, Nurmagomedov stunned the combat sports world collectively post-fight.
Suffering from the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, just months prior, Nurmagomedov would confirm his retirement from combat sports with immediate effect in an emotional revelation, failing to enter the Octagon in the five years since.