UFC 254: Daniel Cormier insists Khabib’s ‘heartbreaking’ retirement is for real – ‘if he says he’s done, he’s done’
- ‘I thought we had at least one more before he would be gone,’ says former two-division Cormier after teammate’s emotional farewell
- ‘He’s such a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime talent. You wanna see him there until he’s 40-0’
Former two-division champ Daniel Cormier said he is heartbroken after teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement at UFC 254 on Sunday.
“I want to say it was my last fight, and no way I’m gonna come here without my father,” said the 32-year-old. His father and coach Abdulmanap died aged 57 in July because of complications stemming from contracting the coronavirus.
“It breaks my heart that Khabib is retiring,” said Cormier, who is close friends with Nurmagomedov and a teammate at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). “DC” was Octagon-side on live commentary for the pay-per-view broadcast.
“I thought we had at least one more before he would be gone,” added the 41-year-old American (22-3, one no contest), who ended his own storied career in August after failing to win his heavyweight belt back from Stipe Miocic (20-3).
“But you saw all that emotion he was carrying into the Octagon after the fight. If he says it, I’m certain that we won’t see Khabib again, which is heartbreaking.