UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has had a stellar 2020.
Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC), who remained unbeaten when he submitted Justin Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254, has been voted World Sport Star for 2020 at BBC Sports Personality of the Year, beating the likes of NBA star LeBron James, golfer Dustin Johnson and Irish boxer Katie Taylor.
Congratulations, @teamkhabib!
The UFC fighter has been voted World Sport Star for 2020 at BBC Sports Personality of the Year.#SPOTY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 18, 2020
The dominant champion has emerged as one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport, boasting over 26 million followers on Instagram. Nurmagomedov may have had a dominant showing inside the cage, but it didn’t come without adversity. “The Eagle” tragically dealt with the death of his father just months before his fight with Gaethje and later revealed he entered the fight with a broken toe.
An honored Nurmagomedov took to social media to react to the news.
“This award means a lot for me. Recognition is the one of the biggest motivation in the life, as in the sport.”
Following his win over Gaethje, Nurmagomedov hung up his gloves. However, UFC president Dana White is hoping to lure the lightweight champion out of retirement and the two are projected to meet next month in Abu Dhabi.
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