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Mathew Scott

Khabib Nurmagomedov has so far in his MMA career laid waste to 28 souls without tasting defeat, but the Russian says he’s not done yet. Not by a long shot.
“I have to smash a couple of more guys,” Nurmagomedov said. “This is what I think.”
The past week has seen Dagestan’s favourite son thrust back into the limelight in the lead-up to his title defence against American’s Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (25-3) at UFC 249 in Brooklyn on April 18.
There was an often-frantic press conference in Las Vegas to promote that event, and give Ferguson a chance to ruffle “The Eagle’s” feathers. Or at least try to.


The next day the 31-year-old was again front and centre during a meet-and-greet hosted by Dominance MMA Management and he was asked if Ferguson had rattled him.
“It was fun because Tony is a funny guy,” Nurmagomedov said. “It’s next month. This is a very interesting fight. A dream fight for fans, for media, for fighters. I love this fight, too, so we’ll see.”


Don’t worry. It’ll be a barnburner.
Ferguson is a wild card, often seeming maniacal with an intensity that can cloud the cold hard facts – that he’s battered his way to a 12-0 streak, with nine finishes. Nurmagomedov’s focus has appeared at all times to be unshakeable as he has risen to prominence as one of the top two or three fighters of his era, along the way giving a series of the very best no clue when it comes to finding weaknesses in his methods.

There’s an image posted on Nurmagomedov’s social media this week that sums up such a notion. It has him down on the mat, monstering Conor McGregor on his way to submitting the Irishman on the fourth round of their clash back in October 2018. You can’t see the Russian’s face but McGregor seems to be looking to heavens for – as Nurmagomedov captions the image – “Heeeelp”.
At the moment Nurmagomedov is at peak market value. That fact was reinforced overnight by Yahoo Sport’s Kevin Iole as he reported the fighter had talked of US$100 million being offered via Saudi Arabia for him to go toe-to-toe with boxing great Floyd Mayweather.


During the Dominance press conference the Russian was asked how far off he thought retirement might be and countered that he had yet to give time to any such thoughts.
“I know when someone stays on top for a long time people just want to see how they fall down,” he said. “It’s very interesting. How are you gonna fall down, how are you gonna crash?

“But about my retirement, I don’t know because I am only 31 years old. Right now is my prime time. What’s interesting is in every fight I become better. Even after my last fight, after three or four months I watch it and I think ‘Whoa, I make mistakes here. My ground game, my striking game.’
“Even three or four months after the fight I keep looking and working, too. I’m young for this sport and I think right now is my prime time so I don’t think it is good to think about retirement.”
More worry for future opponents came next, as Nurmagomedov continued to reveal the mindset that has taken him to the top.

“I try to watch my fights, how I move, how I use my legs, how I use my hips, how I use my footwork in stand-up. Everything,” Nurmagomedov said. “A lot of high-level lightweights train so hard because they want this goal [his title].
“This is why I try to keep learning. To stop someone coming to take what you have [you] have to improve a lot. Learning is most important in MMA and all sport. Even if you are a black belt, in your mind you have to stay [a] white belt.”
For all his achievements, it seems that Nurmagomedov is only getting started.


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Khabib Nurmagomedov puts off retirement plans – ‘I’m young for this sport’

Khabib Nurmagomedov interacts with media during the UFC 249 press conference at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06:  during the UFC 249 press conference at T-Mobile Arena on March 06, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Russian UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, left, fights with UFC fighter Dustin Poirier, of Lafayette, La., during Lightweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 242, in Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday , Sept.7 2019. (AP Photo/ Mahmoud Khaled)

MMA - UFC 242 - Khabib Nurmagomedov v Dustin Poirier - Men's UFC Lightweight title - Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 7, 2019 Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks to the media after winning his match against Dustin Poirier REUTERS/Christopher Pike

Khabib vs Tony Ferguson truly is the fight that’s cursed as coronavirus threatens UFC 249

Khabib Nurmagomedov faces off with Tony Ferguson during the UFC 249 press conference at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dana White posts a meme on his Instagram

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: Khabib Nurmagomedov interacts with media during the UFC 249 press conference at T-Mobile Arena on March 06, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: Tony Ferguson interacts with media during the UFC 249 press conference at T-Mobile Arena on March 06, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

UFC: Justin Gaethje tells Conor McGregor ‘you go through me’ with eyes still on Khabib payday

Justin Gaethje looks on as Khabib Nurmagomedov talks at a Dominance MMA media day in Las Vegas. Photos: Amy Kaplan

Justin Gaethje at a Dominance MMA media day in Las Vegas.

UFC 248: Zhang Weili solves the mystery of Tony Ferguson’s baseball from Khabib presser

Zhang Weili holds Tony Ferguson’s baseball while Joe Rogan interviews her at the UFC 248 ceremonial weigh-ins. Photo: Amy Kaplan

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Joanna Jedrzejczyk hangs on to Weili Zhang in her split decision loss during a strawweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC women's strawweight champion Weili Zhang, right, of China punches former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland during UFC 248 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Khabib kicks Tony Ferguson’s belt away in heated UFC 249 press conference

Dana White steps between Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) and Tony Ferguson during a UFC 249 press conference at T-Mobile Arena. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

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Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks after beating Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


‘Right now is my prime time so I don’t think it is good to think about retirement,’ says UFC lightweight champion
‘In every fight I become better. Even after my last fight I watch it and think I make mistakes here’



UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says he’s in his ‘prime time’ at 31 and that he’s still improving – ‘even after my last fight I watch it and think I make mistakes’.


Khabib Nurmagomedov

Tony Ferguson