Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he'll never break his retirement promise to his mother

TORONTO – Many people are aware of the conversation Khabib Nurmagomedov had with his mother in which he told her he’d never fight again.

But what they might not realize is that retirement promise is reflective of greater attitude and perspective.

At a Class A Events conversation held recently in Toronto, Nurmagomedov explained how one of his core values is the respect he has for his mother.

“Because of I finish my career, because I promise mother, that’s why this one question, discussion between me and my mother become very famous,” Nurmagomedov said. “But we had a lot of different things people don’t know about this. Not only this promise. I follow not only this promise to my mother. I follow everything about Mother. You can have friends or kids, whatever. You can have whatever you want, but you’re never going to have one more mother. You have only one mother. For me, it’s everything. For me, it’s everything.”

For Nurmagomedov, fighting has long been a family affair. His father, the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, is considered by many one of the greatest MMA minds of all time. Abdulmanap coached his son until his death in 2020. Nurmagomedov credits his parents with his success.

“I love mother because of millions and millions of reason,” Nurmagomedov said. “I know even in Dagestan, this is not about Dagestan, but I know a lot of people have bad relationship with parents. I really, really don’t understand this. How can people have bad relationship with parents? Yes, mother, for me is everything. Even now, she is still with me, like living with me in same house. I treat her like queen.”

Watch the full 52-minute conversation with Nurmagomedov below.