Dana White discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement at UFC 254 | ESPN MMA
UFC president Dana White answers questions from reporters after UFC 254 on Fight Island, where Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Justin Gaethje in the main event and retired inside the Octagon. White also speaks about if a middleweight title rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker makes sense after Whittaker’s win vs. Jared Cannonier and more.
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He fought for his father and ended for his mother... legendary
That's part of our religions teaching. AlhamduLILLAH ❤️.
100% he’s a gentleman’s gentleman
why does he need to come back, to make more money for UFC, Khabib has done more than just about even on on par with jon Jones, thats it, leave him alone in peace,, not every man is a degenerated that has to prove him self every day against other men.
@@rockade2408 please. Jon Jones dominance by defending his belt so many times.
@@Badass1974 they are both GOAT, different weight classes.
Khabib :- *retires* Mcgregor :- "alhamdulilah"
Lol hahaha that was great
Ahahaha
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
😂😂
recycled joke 😂
I don’t think Khabib is coming back. He’s much more principled than the other fighters who say they’re “retired” and come back. I think he stands by his word.
Yeah. I think he's incredibly family oriented and being healthy and spending time with loved ones is a strong part of him.
True
He missed weight
So did he say he wanted to fight GSP next or was that the media?
@@Fony_turgeson okh casual
So happy khabib walked away on top considering the year he has had
Yesss
Bless that man
@@freshproduce2170 ameen
yes now the division can get fun and interesting again :)
khabib: RETIRES lightweight strikers: OOOOOH THANK YOU GOD!!
Islam: 👀
I would be too
😂 👌🏼
@Mike '2blac' Perry his father ones said in a interview that khabib would retire after his 30th fight
@@smorris227 Yh it's weird to me, he sayd his mother wanted this to be his last fight, I thought he'd atleast go 30-0
If you think about it, Khabib is actually 30-0. remember he swooped in and smeshed Dillon Danis?
@Sammi G you mean underrated pebble brain🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@trillandthome2685 he just mad cus he a dillon danis fan boy. prolly still on that mcnugget hype train.
Lets be real. He is 13-0. He has 13 UFC fights. His fights outside the ufc are against amateur competition. Not one notable name.
@@usernotfound904 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lmao chill out😂
"KHABIB LIFE IDEALS" 1. "EAT" 2. "SLEEP" 3. "GO TO GYM" 4. "SEND ME LOCATION" 5. " PRESS CONFERENCE" 6. "WEIGH IN" 7. "GO TO THE RING" 8. "SMESH" 9 . " ALHAMDULILLAH" "REPEAT"
Solat Doa
Dead :DDDDD
SEND ME LOCATION :o
10. "LOVE PARENTS"
This time there is no repeat :(
Everyone is so down after khabib, it was so emotional 😭
Can tell one of the biggest stars the ufc has ever had retired by the way Dana sounds. He's usually so jacked up after a card like that.
@Matthew Anthony Conor who hardly ever fights and is notoriously hard to deal with. Masvidal who many see as a journeyman (can't best the very top of the division) and just lost a title fight. Izzy is a big star but his numbers aren't insanely huge yet. Khabib is a MASSIVE star only second to Conor and allowed the UFC to access markets they hadn't before so no way this is "fine" for Dana when it comes to business. Dana even said that a rematch with Conor/Khabib would have been bigger than Floyd/Conor, and the chances of that are even slimmer now.
@Matthew Anthony its facts tho
@Matthew Anthony I'd hardly say that was you making me "cry", I was just giving you my opinion and some facts with no salt attached
Conor is washed up.
Business wise, I can understand. He just lost one of his bigger stars, and unlike some of the others he knows Khabib always does what he says, so the chances of him un-retiring is very low. Honestly though, Dana has been better at dealing with his stars retiring nowadays. He used to be so darn angry about it in the old days.
Dana sounds like he wants to retire too now
He always kinda sounds like that lol
LMAOOO
🤣😅😅🤣🤣
Khabib is the greatest of all time without question. He made it look easy tonight. Inshallah
1. Don’t kill John Wick’s dog ✅ 2. Don’t battle with Eminem ✅ 3. Don’t send Khabib your location ✅
lool
4. Dont be a bandwagon
Lolll
Don't trash talk
Mgk destroyed eminem tho....yeah the punk artist with the pink guitar
For Khabib to go out there and do that with a broken foot/Toes is even more absurd. Man had every excuse in the book to use & still put on maybe his best performance.
the man's greatest attribute is his will... the word warrior is overused but khabib is a warrior in every sense of the word. indomitable will
@Mike '2blac' Perry no his foot was broken. He isn't you. Don't judge him by your standards.
@@yahyagalal3397 honestly u want understand the Mountain Men, look up the history of caucasus, get shocked about local heroes even people like khabib call "heroes"
@Mike '2blac' Perry 2 toes were broke, not entire foot - the 2 toes were taped, you can see in the fight.
why does he need to come back, to make more money for UFC, Khabib has done more than just about even on on par with jon Jones, thats it, leave him alone in peace,, not every man is a degenerated that has to prove him self every day against other men.
Khabib was definitely the best ever. He was literally unbeatable
It's even worse that there were no fans to give him that goosebumps applause that he deserved.🙏🙏
100%! It was such a shame that he couldn’t get the love he deserved from the fans during this retirement. He should’ve laid his gloves among a sold out arena
Khabib's foot was a ballon, but he didn't tell anyone and still won in dominant fashion.
Khabib Smash! My all time Favorite fighter is retiring..he will be missed I wish him and his family well. So happy and so sad.
Greatest of all time.
UFC lost a real legend, it's not gonna be the same without you.
I've never (in my 25 years of watching the ufc) seen dana give a statement like this. it's like he genuinely doesn't know what's going to happen. there is no doubt in my mind that he doesn't believe khabib is retired.But when guys like GSP and Khabib say they're retired it's a big deal because they're men of their word. And guys like that only make exceptions for very special circumstances and GSP is as much of a "special circumstance" to Khabib as Khabib is to GSP. I think the next 6 months will be the most interesting climate in MMA the world has ever seen!
GSP came back to fight bisping so his word ain’t the same and they retired for different reasons.
@@GhostJJJ GSP wasn't retired when he fought bisping. He said he "needed to go away for a little bit" after the Hendricks fight, he never used the word "retire." So his word is good
Both are wrong sort off gsp saying he need time away was done playing a deal that went bad Just before the reebok deal gsp sighed a massive deal with NOS energy drinks witch would put they brand on gsp shorts With the Reebok deal in place that couldn’t happen And nos was come up with crazy numbers for the ufc to buy the deal out like 400 million In turn it meant gsp couldn’t fight for 5 years and we got a string off NOS energy drinks comersuls and meet and greets with gsp
@@Kenny32441 none of that is true, he signed with NOS in 2012 the reebok deal was in 2014 and had nothing to do with why he stepped away for 4 years (not 5). Recently GSP sat down with reporters and explained why he left the sport in 2013. “When I left it was not because of damage [to my body], it was more anxiety, nervousness, I couldn’t sleep well. I kept thinking, it was claustrophobic, just too much pressure,” “When you’re champion, you feel you’re the centre of the world. Even though you’re not, it’s an illusion, because of the pressure, and it’s a pressure that is different than other sport because it’s a surviving pressure, your life is threatened in the real, real deepest way … You can die.” When asked why he was returning to the sport, GSP didn’t mince words, pointing out the new USADA program has played a pivotal role. “It’s a different set of rules now, I was fighting against a whole system back in the day,” St-Pierre said. “I was very outspoken about the drug problem that we had, people made fun of me, ‘ahhh, he’s a paranoid guy, he says that as a way to go and retire.’ But look what happened now … a lot of the UFC champions have fall to the performance enhancing drugs, getting caught.”
Yes it is you say you been watching MMA for 25 years clearly you haven’t as people who have inside knowledge know that’s the truth Reebok deal was finalised in November 2013 but didn’t come in to place till 2014 due to reebok needing to get kits and stuff sorted # I Am H.K
For anyone saying that Khabib will be back..... You guys must not know the kind man Khabib is. His integrity is unmatched, he is a man of his word and if he says he’s not coming back, then that’s it.
I can’t believe Khabib has really stopped fighting.. What a man, what a career
I will surely miss khabib man . he's an absolute legend .
Kabib your the man in this Man's sport..
Dana just lost another UFC star lol
He gained one in Khamzat though
@@ZidaneDaMan10 zabit could become a superstar if only he improves his stamina
@Daveed da sick Bro the ufc made almost 1 billion in revenue last year , they ain’t losing money
@@ZidaneDaMan10 who?
@@ZidaneDaMan10 we all know that khamzat got a skill but he's a bit impatient
Let the 🦅 soar back to the mountains. Enjoy retirement 🐐
👍
Congratulations on an extraordinary career 🐐 Khabib.
Being in Sajdah(prostrating) whilst being announced as the champion of the world.. I respect that more than anything
Khabibs post fight almost made me cry. Great man and great champion. All the best wishes khabib, good luck with coaching.
Dana sounds so sad in this interview.
because it's back to the king of flips. mc nuggets
@@Syn741 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@Syn741 😂😂😂
G.O.A.T.....29 Winstreak in MMA. THE MOST FIGHTING DOMINATOR No Bleed No Lose No Roid No Eyepoke
@Mike '2blac' Perry shut up conor mactapper fan 😂🐔😂🐔😂🐔😂 ma ma ma ma ma
Poirer - McGregor (winner gets Gaethje) Ferguson - Chandler Hooker vs Oliveira
Conor vs Dustin for the title they are both coming off of impressive wins
Worst case scenario. Poirer and McGregor for the belt McGregor wins and hold up the division agean.
Yep very fair since they all lost to khabib
@@amarbesic_ i love Conor but i cant give him a title shot for 1 win in the last what 3-4 years by beating a past his prime, coming off multiple KO losses Cowboy.
@BKSounds i dont need to see that again personally. Gaethje beat him from pillar to post.
khabib: I am retired. conor mc: ALHAMDULLILLAH 😄
The power of consistency.
No UFC fan can dislike Khabib this dude is respectful to everyone, exactly like a true Champion should be!!
Khabib is 100% the GREATEST OF ALL TIME RESPECT 29-0 He won't be back. He's a man of his word.
Let the eagle fly high in Dagestan, enjoy retirement!! 🙏
I have to say that Khabib s is the most well rounded and under respected fighterever.!¡
How is the dude under respected lol
Definitely not under respected my G ..
Andries Pretorious Justin gaethje is one of the most respected strikers in the light weight division and khabib made him look like amateur in the boxing department, yeah he got hit a couple times but that’s bound to happen when you just walk someone down like that in the first round
His foot was a balloon?
His Toes Came Out Of The Socket
@me you that was just an excuse lmao.
Let resel let resel
@me you His foot was blame or something
Ba ding da ding balloon.
Everyone isn’t getting it. We’ve just witnessed Greatness. Years from now, they’ll be making and telling stories & movies about Khabib. Stories will be told of how his work ethic and mindset made him completely destroy his opponents. Not physically but psychologically. And that for me is the true art of fighting. He imposed his will and didn’t need a fighters lucky punch to win. His opponents couldn’t fight their best, they crumbled into fighting how they think they should fight to beat Khabib. His form of MMA wrestling and ground control is basically a new form of martial art. Now how many people can say that!? That they’ve made a new form of martial art! People now are only now learning what he’s been using. He’s paved the fighting style for fighters like Zabit & Khamzat. He’s Muhammad Ali & Bruce Lee combined! He’s a fighters fighter. He doesn’t knock you out, he chokes you out preserving your longevity but destroying your legacy. He’s danced with the best of the best, and always came out on top. A stoic inside and outside the cage. A true representative of his religion. Muhammad Ali was before my time, I was too young to witness Tyson. But I’ve been lucky to have witnessed in the era of Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov.
What an amazing year for the UFC! Well done to Dana and his entire team, they battled through the struggles of 2020 and it turned out to be such a success for the company and its fighters. 👍
Dana said after the fight, khabib broke 2 of his toe and feet 3 week ago.Khabib still won the fight in a landslide with LEGENDARY performance!
UFC 254 was an iconic night, the retirement of one of the all time greats Khabib 👏👏👏🦅
Khabib became a legend..
Khabib is a legendary fighter and a wise warrior I've ever seen in my entire life.What a nice role model
Goodbye legend 🦅 ❤️😞
I've cried sore still for this :'(
Dana lost his spirit here, I think me too
Khabib fighting with the thought of his father always at the back of his mind. You could have ran a truck over Khabib and he would have still come out victorious. There was no one on this planet at 155 that would have beat him that night
KHABIB is the G.O.A.T , 155lb fighter. Thanks to you for all the encouragement you gave to those who came from the bottom
We will miss you Brother. We love you. Wish you the best. Thank you and Khabib time.
"with, you know, whoever else you think is the GOAT" GSP *smiles politely*
GSP got absolutely nothing on Khabib.
Jones*
@@liianpienetluistimet7180 Who asked? There is no reason to put down someone else's pick. Khabib looks like he has decent respect for other fighters, at least you can learn that.
Thank you Dana for giving KHAbib an opportunity to prove that he is the best
Khabib a legend
Khabib is so tough, he can fight himself and still win. It was great while you were champ. Take care and good luck.
I really respect the Eagle one(khabib)...we really miss u..u really deservd..u r d guy who is genuinly fought wit opponnt.U r d simple guy n u really make a histry. I wish u n ur family live happy n prosperious.I lub u n ur family..i will b missing u.
Khabib the legend of MMA
Dana loves khabib most among the remaining fighters in UFC❤️
Khabib is a legend
*David Goggins IS proud!*
True warrior
Khabib the real goat ❤
2 ways khabib may come back for 30-0: Best scenario: Tony at 37 goes on tear for next 2 years, beats all the best and khabib comes back and we finally get that fight. Next scenario: conor walks through everyone, gets the same hype he had before khabib and khabib comes back to stop the hype. Its likely neither and we never seen him again.
Or 3 The best scenario. Khabib said it was his father's dream to see him fight GSP. that would make the best retirement fight anyone can have.
Both ways his mother would have to pardon him.
@@zabeast8910 Yes, that is true.
@@yusufshaikh9768 True, the only way he comes back would be for Khabib's older brother to convince their mother to let lil bro fight just 1 more time
@@mosemobuckland4287 Yeah, either way he needs his mother’s blessing.
Everybody in the comments like “Dana on suicide watch!” When, in reality, Dana is completely normal and calm.
I wouldnt say notmal and calm. If we compare it with other interviews/post conferences, you can see and feel the difference. He was sad and didnt even know the answer most of the questions bc he was in shock, lost and emotional
Cant remember if i cried that many times watching a fighter's videos or videos about him !!!
Really sucks Khabib's final fight had to happen in a empty arena. No one deserved a huge ovation more than him. At the same time it was more emotional hearing his sighs/deep breaths so clear.
Khabib will raise again
Khabib The Eagle is unbelievble, He is a masterpiece. The real GOAT, no cheating in fight, no even single round loss, no losses,
This is the first time I've seen Dana White look exhausted and tired af.
Honestly such a shame we never got to see that Tony fight, it was a really interesting stylistic matchup
what a boss. 🐐 in every sense of the word
Great conference 👏
Khabib : retire Conor : turn GPS on
Not a huge fan of khabib just due to his fighting style but mad respect to the man!
He's a Man of his word ... ain't coming back ... not like someone else out there flapping it's hole
The best ever. Long live The Eagle.
Gaethje's BJJ is trash. Good to see he's recognised that tho, he said he plans to work on it. Likely next champ
McGregor would absolutely butcher his face
Mcgregor
He will never be a legitimate ufc champ
@IM_101 thank you, someone with a brain. Gaethje's defense will always be his wrestling, which will hold up against almost anyone in the division; Khabib is a different animal and has made a mockery of strikers and grapplers alike. Justin will progress but there aren't enough hours to close certain gaps, certainly never was for this challenge.
@me you yea khabibs is just as lethal off his back
Khabib the baddest man in ufc MarshAllah
Mashallah *
Khabib❤❤❤
When Dana said Khabibs foot broke 3 weeks ago u can hear a „Jesus“ in the background
Crazy performance
In his head hes like,no one leaves me !!!!!!!!
Khabib shown the world he could box!
Alhamdulillah.. Khabib is a Legend.. 🙏🙏 29 - 0
Gaethje vs Ferguson 2 has to happen
Nope no chance. But tony would beat khabib
No
@@Fony_turgeson no
Redundant! Tony will lose again! He will likely lose to Conor or Poirier too. He is finished IMO.
@Mike '2blac' Perry Tony would beat Conor and Dustin and then get systematically dismantled by Gaethje or Khabib
What a performance from Khabib! Justin will be back! 155lbs is officially wide open!
Look on the bright side Dana now the lightweight chaos can begin ‼️
I remember his father said that he wants to go 30-0 with his last fight beeing with GSP. Hope this legend will give us one more taste of true class in the future.
GOD BLESS
"Could McGregor and Poirier be for the 155 title? Dana on the outside "dont ask me about the future" Dana on the inside "why didnt I think of that"
For what..... justin and Tony are better than those two guys
they can't do that fight without justin being first in line as former interum champ
Terrible idea. Horrible
Massive respect to Khabib. Enjoy retirement GOAT
It's funny how Gaethje said he would rather go to sleep than tap and he ended up doing both
🤣🤣🤣
first tap than sleep
You gotta love this guys honestly haha!
I'm so sad that khabib has retired.
I guess the 30th win really is leaving on his own terms and still on top.
I hope they don't push Islam too much after this. We all knew he wasn't going for the belt when Khabib had the belt, and this is his opportunity. He still has things he can polish before getting the belt. Just... slowly clean the division. Also, I wonder how long Usman is staying at Bellator. Everyone says he is a better Khabib at his age, so I am kinda excited to see when he gets to UFC.
The sadness in Dana’s voice that Khabib retired 😭
yeah it looks real.. i never saw dana like that, even if he loves conor much but inner pain from dana looks clear.
Tony: retire..? How about our fight..? Khabib : someday, may be with my son
Wish we got to see Khabib at the post fight presser
Awesome fights!:)
Yes, Dana was right that Khabib was in hospital for three weeks before fight and he didn't get to train properly before fighting Justin but it wasn't about broken bone. He got extremely sick and it worsen.