Khabib Nurmagomedov Calls Undefeated Career ‘Impossible’

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has yet to taste the bitter sting of defeat.

But Nurmagomedov does not believe that is something he can avoid forever.

The 31-year-old talked about how much longer he has left in the fight game with Arab News recently, and also discussed the idea of a fighter in any combat sports going undefeated for his career.

“I think a couple of years,” Nurmagomedov said (thanks to MMAjunkie for quotes). “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.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov Sees Immense Arab Talent

Nurmagomedov is 28-0 through his career, with the last 12 fights coming inside the Octagon. He submitted Conor McGregor last year in his first UFC title defense.

He followed that performance up with another submission, unifying the belts by besting Dustin Poirier.

“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.”

Is Tony Ferguson Next For Khabib?

To date, the UFC has yet to make it official, but he is expected to take on Tony Ferguson next. Ferguson is riding a 12-fight win streak and is a former interim UFC champion.

“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.”

Nurmagomedov holds the UFC record for most takedowns in a single fight. He recorded 21 on 28 attempts against Abel Trujillo at UFC 160.

Along with his UFC title, Nurmagomedov is a former Pankration champion and has scored medals in World Combat Sambo. He is also a former NAGA World Championship No-Gi Expert winner.