“If you pull out of a fight because of a discolored pinky toe, which may or may not be yours and may…you’re not fighting again. That’s just the truth,” UFC vet Chael Sonnen said when he took a jab at UFC megastar Conor McGregor, who was set to return to action at UFC 303 last year after being sidelined for over three years. However, just days before the fight, the former two-division champion broke his “pinky toe,” which led to the cancellation of his matchup against Michael Chandler in the welterweight division.
However, it was Alex Pereira’s second light heavyweight title bout against Jiri Prochazka that ultimately saved that fight card. Despite battling through multiple injuries, including a broken toe, the Brazilian’s resilience deserves high praise. Yet, he wasn’t the only fighter celebrated by fans for stepping up in such circumstances. UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired over four years ago, also holds that distinction.
The former 155lbs juggernaut fought his final battle against former interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 back in 2020, successfully defending his lightweight title for the third and final time. This battle is considered one of his toughest for two reasons: First, it was the first time ‘The Eagle’ fought without his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in his corner after he passed away due to COVID the same year. Secondly, the Dagestani was recovering from several health issues, including mumps, and had also broken his toe next to his “pinky toe.“
According to Khabib’s long-time coach, Javier Mendez, it was “the worst camp ever.” Recently, the unlucky UFC 254 fight camp was revisited by the AKA head honcho. While speaking on ‘Javier & Mo’ on YouTube, Mendez opened up about his feelings during that time. He revealed, “I wanted to cancel that fight so many times. It was the worst camp ever, ever, and I’m like, ‘Khabib, cancel the fight!’ No, no, coach, no, no, please, please, no, no, let’s not cancel Khabib, you can cancel the fight five months later. No, no, please, coach, don’t cancel.”
MMA: UFC 229-Nurmagomedov vs McGregor, Oct 6, 2018, Las Vegas, NV, USA Khabib Nurmagomedov red gloves reacts after his fight against Conor McGregor blue gloves during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports, 06.10.2018 22:00:12, 11394160, NPStrans, T-Mobile Arena, Khabib Nurmagomedov, MMA, Conor McGregor, TopPic, wow PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxR.xSylvaniex 11394160
However, when the day arrived, Nurmagomedov looked sharp, leaving Mendez with no choice but to move forward. “Okay, we’ll do it,” he said. Despite facing both health issues and personal hardships, ‘The Eagle’ never considered withdrawing from the fight. In 2020, Mendez revealed that when he urged the Dagestani native to pull out, the undefeated champion firmly responded, “Coach, my toe may be broken, but my mind is not,” a statement that embodied his unwavering resolve.
Nurmagomedov went on to submit Justin Gaethje with a triangle choke in the second round. Following his victory, he retired, fulfilling a promise to his mother. As ‘The Eagle’ later emphasized, there was “no way” he would return to the UFC without his father in his corner.
Why Khabib Nurmagomedov never broke his vow to his mother?
“When the UFC called me, I spoke with my mother. She didn’t want me to fight without my father… I had given her my word,” Khabib Nurmagomedov shared in an interview with Sky Sports, offering insight into the reason behind his decision to retire. For ‘The Eagle’, just as his father played a pivotal role in shaping his career and life—coaching him until his last day—his mother held an equally significant place in his heart.
During a 2022 Class A event in Toronto, Khabib Nurmagomedov took the opportunity to reflect on the core values that had shaped him, acknowledging the immense respect and love he had for his mother. At a press conference during the event, ‘The Eagle’ spoke about the famous “promise” he made to his mother, stressing the invaluable role mothers play in everyone’s life. He explained that while a person may have many friends or even children, “You’re never going to have another mother.”
Nurmagomedov went on to share his heartfelt feelings about his mother, saying, “Love your mother for millions and millions of reasons.” He also touched on the painful and unfortunate reality of strained family relationships, remarking, “I know—even in Dagestan, and this is not just about Dagestan—many people have bad relationships with their parents. I really, really don’t understand this. How can someone have a bad relationship with their parents? For me, my mother is everything.”
Now, what do you think about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy? Do you believe his close friend Islam Makhachev or his cousins Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov have the potential to accomplish what ‘The Eagle’ did in his career, both in terms of athletic achievement and personal values? Share your thoughts below.
The post “I Wanted to Cancel” – Team Khabib Comes Clean on Almost Canceling Justin Gaethje Fight After ‘Worst Camp Ever’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
