Khabib Nurmagomediv broke his foot three weeks before UFC 254 fight, Dana White reveals
The Russian won by submission in the second round before immediately announcing his retirement
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Khabib Nurmagomedov broke his foot three weeks before UFC 254, claims Dana White.
The UFC president made the revelation following the Russian’s stunning second-round victory by submission over Justin Gaethje on the Fight Island, with 'The Eagle’, 32, retiring immediately afterwards.
White insists Khabib didn’t look right and could “smell” an upset, but hailed him as the GOAT following his perseverance over an apparent serious injury in the build-up to the fight.
White said: “What this guy has been through, we’re all lucky that we got to see him fight tonight.
“Apparently, he was in the hospital and he broke his foot three weeks ago.
Conor McGregor reacts to Khabib 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
“So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that’s broken. That’s what his corner told me.”
The Russian insisted he’s “not interested” in facing Conor McGregor again in the aftermath of his win tonight.
“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,” Khabib said.
“I gave my word, I have to follow it. I want to say thank you to Lorenzo [Fertita], Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell].
Khabib sends message to Conor McGregor after announcing retirement
The Russian has dismissed the Irishman and any interest in a rematch by retiring from the sport
“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. One day it’s going to happen, something, 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? McGregor and Poirier fight in January, I choked out both of them, I'm not interested in this.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments