Khabib Nurmagomedov Speaks About His Condition After Retirement

Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov spoke about his physical condition, health and connection to sport after ending his career. Although the famous Russian fighter left the professional octagon, he stressed that he still feels good and continues to train at a high level.

Khabib said he underwent several surgeries during and after his career. In particular, he had multiple operations on his back and knees. Despite this, he said he was satisfied with his current condition.

“I had several operations on my back and knees. But I feel very good. I still train and compete with the strongest athletes in the gym,” Nurmagomedov said.

These comments show that Khabib has not completely distanced himself from sport. Although he no longer competes in official bouts, he has preserved the gym atmosphere, training routine and spirit of competition. For fighters like him, sport is not merely a profession but a way of life. Khabib continues to live by that philosophy.

Nurmagomedov also emphasized that he did not suffer serious damage in his fights throughout his career. In his view, many fighters face various problems involving their bodies and brains at the end of their careers. Khabib considers himself one of the fortunate athletes in this regard.

“I never suffered serious damage in a fight throughout my entire career. I was always in good condition, had no injuries to my face and won while feeling good,” he added.

Indeed, Khabib’s career holds a special place in MMA history. He gained an advantage over many opponents mainly through wrestling, control, pressure and tactical discipline. As a result, his fights featured fewer intense striking exchanges; in many cases, he controlled his opponents on the ground and executed his game plan.

This style may have allowed Khabib not only to win, but also to preserve his health relatively well. In a demanding sport such as MMA, every fight places a significant strain on the body. After their careers end, fighters often have to live with injuries, brain-related problems, and joint and muscle pain.

Khabib did not rush to describe himself as being in perfect, 100 percent condition. However, he said that compared with other former fighters, he was doing well. His words reflected gratitude, a realistic assessment and a strong awareness of his physical condition.

“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent in shape. But compared with other fighters, many of them face problems with their brains and bodies after ending their careers. Alhamdulillah, everything is fine with me,” Nurmagomedov said.

Khabib ended his professional career in 2020. He left MMA with 29 victories and no defeats. That record made him one of the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial arts.

The victories over elite opponents such as Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje stand out in his career. In every major fight, Khabib was able to impose his style on his opponent, increase the pressure and steer the bout according to his preferred script.

Ending a career with a 29-0 record is extremely rare in MMA. It is the result not only of physical strength, but also of discipline, mental resilience, tactical intelligence and years of hard work. These qualities earned Khabib millions of fans around the world.

Today, he is not returning to the octagon as a professional fighter, but he has not cut ties with sport. By training young fighters, working with his team and taking part in workouts, he continues to maintain his influence in the MMA world. The big sports stage may be closed for Khabib, but the gym door is still open.

His comments about his health are also important to fans. Many people are interested in the former champion’s condition, injuries and daily life after his career. Khabib spoke openly about the subject and said that he feels good.

Of course, the surgeries on his back and knees are among the heavy marks left by elite sport. However, Khabib’s continued training with top athletes, his unbroken competitive spirit and his good physical condition once again demonstrate his professionalism.

Although several years have passed since Khabib Nurmagomedov ended his career, his name still carries great weight in the MMA world. His fight results, undefeated record and serious attitude toward sport have secured his place in history as one of the strongest athletes of his era.

Now the former champion is entering a new stage of his life. He is no longer in the octagon, but he remains involved in sport. He is not fighting opponents in official bouts, yet he has not abandoned competition in the gym. In short, for Khabib, “retirement” does not mean lying on the couch—it means staying in shape without defending a title.