Former undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was voted “Best MMA fighter” at the 2021 ESPY Awards.
“The Eagle” who retired from mixed martial arts last year beats the heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and the double women’s queen Amanda Nunes. ESPN fan votes helped determine the winner.
The Russian fighter retired after his win at UFC 254 in October 2020 with a pro record of 29 wins and 0 loses. He has notable victories over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Al Iaquinta, Rafael dos Anjos.
“Now that I’m not going to train anymore, I have people close to me, brothers and friends, who are now fighting at the highest level,” Nurmagomedov told Esquire Middle East.
“There are about five or six people who we are building the path with, and I will help them, train with them, share my experiences. To some extent, this can be called a coaching life, but I am not going to fully enter into coaching. I will always be there and share my experience.”