Khabib Nurmagomedov’s US debut as a fight promoter went off without a hitch on Friday night but the Russian icon admits it wasn’t easy
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has seen it all in the cage but he admits he still has a lot to learn about the other side of the fight game after his Eagle FC fight promotion held their US debut in Miami on Friday night.
Nurmagomedov, who officially retired from active competition with an undefeated 29-0 record last year, hasn’t felt the unique blend of emotions that comes with being a fighter since his final career bout against Justin Gaethje a year-and-a-half ago but ahead of Eagle FC’s first show on US soil, he said that that strange mix of nervousness and excitement all fighters have felt at one time or another had returned.
“Today when I wake up I was nervous like I’m going to fight tonight,” he told MMA Junkie in advance of the fight card.
“I have same feeling today when I wake up. I realized I’m not going to fight, I have a fighting show. It was a very nervous day, but right now I’m happy.”
He needn’t have worried.
The card was topped by another iconic figure from Russian MMA and one of the sport’s most grizzled veterans, Sergei Kharitonov, who mauled kickboxing legend Tyrone Spong in the headliner.
The Paratrooper drops HAMMERS on Spong and finishes him in round 2! #EagleFC44 pic.twitter.com/4KwK0CO6eS
