Conor McGregor reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov retiring and makes announcement on own career

The Irishman has vowed to carry on with his UFC career despite no chance of a rematch with the Russian

Conor McGregor has responded to Khabib Nurmagomedov retiring from the UFC after his victory over Justin Gaethje by vowing to continue with his own career.

The Russian, whose father and head coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died earlier this year following health complications from coronavirus, was dominant as usual on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, with a second-round submission enough to put Gaethje to sleep.

And after Khabib announced his retirement and said he was “not interested” in facing McGregor for a second time, ‘Notorious’ responded to the fellow 32-year-old in a dignified manner on social media.

He wrote: “Good performance Khabib. I will carry on.

“Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors.”

Khabib said his father’s death had played a big role in his decision to retire.

Speaking after his second-round submission win, which was secured with a triangle choke, Khabib said: “God give me everything, and with my father, I love you so much… It was my last fight.

“When UFC called me about Justin, I talked to my mother. I promised her it would be my last fight. I gave my word, I have to follow it. 

“I want to say thank you to Lorenzo [Fertita], Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell]. Thank you to all this UFC team, everybody around the world. Thank you so much, Justin, you helped me a lot. I know you’re a great man. I know a lot of things about you. 

“Be close to your parents. You never know what will happen tomorrow. My team-mates, I love you so much. Today is my last fight in the UFC. It was my father’s dream, what else?

“[Conor] McGregor and [Dustin] Poirier fight in January, I choked out both of them, I'm not interested in this...”

Khabib retires with an undefeated record of 29-0.