Undefeated at 29-0, pound-for-pound number one, and recognized as one of the best UFC fighters in the world. That’s what Khabib Nurmagomedov achieved when he said goodbye to MMA after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. ‘The Eagle’ was only 32 years old, still in his prime, when he accomplished all these feats. Because of that, he is a constant presence on almost all UFC fans’ GOAT lists.
It’s been five years since Khabib laid down his gloves inside the octagon, yet people still talk about how the Dagestani shaped his legacy in the sport. Today, he turns 37 years old. So, to celebrate this special day, let’s look back at ‘The Eagle’s’ impact in the UFC. And also, how he became an inspiration to millions of fans around the world.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov’s 29-0 undefeated legacy
Whenever the legend of Khabib Nurmagomedov comes up, his undefeated 29-0 record inevitably takes the spotlight. While Jon Jones is often considered technically undefeated, his disqualification loss against Matt Hamill takes that status away. Building an unblemished legacy and carrying it through to retirement is a rare challenge that the Dagestani champion overcame. For the unversed, Khabib turned professional in 2008, competing in local Russian promotions while training under his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Soon after turning pro, he began laying the foundation for greatness. That same year, he won the Russian Pankration Championship, and in 2009, ‘The Eagle’ defeated Eldar Eldarov (now Brave FC’s champion) to claim victory in the Tsumada FC 3 finals.
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By the time he arrived at the UFC, Khabib had already built a 16-0 record, earning a reputation as a demolition machine. In 2012, he kicked off his legendary journey under Dana White by defeating Kamal Shalorus at UFC on FX 1. Eight years later, ‘The Eagle’ became a global star by carving his path through the lightweight division. He claimed the UFC lightweight championship by defeating Al Iaquinta at UFC 223. And then, ‘The Eagle’ ended up defending his belt against some of the sport’s biggest names, including Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
So, that was Khabib Nurmagomedov’s journey as a professional fighter in brief. But it wasn’t only his achievements inside the octagon that made him great. ‘The Eagle’ also made a lasting impact outside the cage, further lifting his status as one of the sport’s true icons.
The Eagle’s influence beyond the UFC
Before Khabib achieved success, the UFC was largely seen as a promotion dominated by American and Brazilian athletes. It was only after ‘The Eagle’ laid the foundation that more fighters from Russia—and especially from his homeland, Dagestan—started to enter the spotlight. Khabib laid the path for aspiring Russian fighters, inspiring them with the achievements of their star countryman. He also left a lasting mark outside it through charity and business ventures. One of the most notable examples came after his victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. Following the fight, ‘The Eagle’ swapped shirts with ‘The Diamond’ and later sold his shirt at auction.
According to SCMP.com, the sale generated an impressive US$100,000, which went toward providing clean drinking water for children in Uganda. On top of that, UFC CEO Dana White matched the donation, while Poirier raised an additional US$60,000 for the cause. But that was far from the end of Khabib’s charitable efforts.
He went on to build multiple gyms in Dagestan to help train children and prepare future generations of MMA fighters. His state-of-the-art complex in his home village of Sildi, which he built using funds from the McGregor fight. It became a cornerstone for young athletes in the region. And while giving back was always part of the undefeated lightweight’s nature, Khabib also stepped into the role of promoter.
In 2020, he founded Eagle FC, marking the next chapter of his journey. The league quickly gained recognition among fight fans around the world. However, by 2023, Khabib chose to step away from the promotion and dedicate his full attention to coaching his teammates, including Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Tagir Ulanbekov.
Now, as we witness the Dagestani champion’s influence and the success of those he mentors, a natural question arises—is he the most popular fighter in the world?
Is the Dagestani champ the most popular MMA fighter?
Well, deciding whether Khabib Nurmagomedov is the most popular global fighter or not is a tricky question. Many UFC fans would probably hand that title to Conor McGregor. However, it’s undeniable that ‘The Eagle’ comes close. Especially in Russia and the Middle East, where his popularity has soared.
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That was on full display when the 155-pound legend faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. The entire arena erupted with chants of his name, as if ‘The Eagle’ were fighting on home turf. Clearly, he has one of the most loyal fan bases in the world, many of whom truly believe he’s the greatest fighter ever to walk the earth. And also, some fans still believe Khabib would’ve achieved a lot more if he hadn’t retired so early.
With that said, as one of the UFC’s most celebrated champions turns 37, this serves as a small tribute to the many achievements he has earned throughout his journey. So, what do you think about Khabib’s legacy as a sports icon? Let us know in the comments below.