Khabib Nurmagomedov might not see himself competing for too much longer.
Speaking to Arab News, the UFC’s lightweight champion said he knows it’s hard to remain undefeated, which is why he doesn’t want to keep fighting past his prime.
“I think a couple of years,” Nurmagomedov said. “Two, three – maximum three. I think maybe two years, in my opinion, because I don’t want to fight all my life because I know it’s very hard. I know a lot of young, hungry guys are coming, and I know to always be undefeated, undisputed, is not almost impossible – I think it’s impossible.
“You can watch in history. If you watch all athletes like soccer, boxing, MMA, everywhere, one day you’re going to lose. You have to know when you need to stop. I think maybe two years.”
Unbeaten in 28 fights, Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) wants to reach a personal career milestone of a 30-0 record. He has defended his 155-pound title twice, submitting both Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018, and Dustin Poirier this past month at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.
He thinks he only has a few more fights left in him.
“Before, I never thought about this – but right now, it’s like I’m almost there,” Nurmagomedov said. “28-0, and in the next couple of years I’m going to compete because I just (turned) 31. This is not too much for this sport, but for sure I think I’m going to finish (at) 33, 34, it’s going to be done. But right now, I have a couple of years to compete.”
Targeting a return in March, Nurmagomedov wants to fight in his home country of Russia. He is expecting to face former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, who has won his past 12 fights.
He expects to remain undefeated and undisputed.
“I think he’s a very good and tough opponent,” Nurmagomedov said. “He has good experience. I think it’s going to be the same result, (if Allah wills it). This is my opinion. Nothing changed. They just give me all these new opponents with new names, but results, inshallah, are going to stay the same.”
