(BBC) – UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has stunned the mixed martial arts world by announcing his immediate retirement from the sport.
The news came moments after Nurmagomedov had extended his perfect professional record to 29-0 with a second-round triangle-choke submission of interim champion, Justin Gaethje, at UFC 254.

The 32-year-old Russian had already been touted as the greatest MMA fighter of all time but his retirement immediately reignited the debate over where he ranks in the history of the sport.
GOAT or not, Khabib leaves a lasting legacy

As a fighter who competed at the highest level of the sport, in arguably the most talent-filled weight class, his undefeated record has put him right in the middle of MMA’s ‘Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT) conversation, alongside fellow UFC legends Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Anderson Silva, Demetrious Johnson and Amanda Nunes.
Nurmagomedov’s three-fight title reign at lightweight may not match the lengthy championship tenures of some of his peers, but his sheer dominance of the cage, plus that zero in his loss column, means he’s undoubtedly in that elite group of fighters who can be considered the sport’s all-time greats.

But perhaps more important than his reputation as a great fighter and champion is the legacy Nurmagomedov leaves.
Together with his late father Abdulmanap, Nurmagomedov helped open the doors for Dagestani fighters to excel on the world stage, with the nation’s reputation for producing world-class amateur wrestlers now extending into the sport of mixed martial arts.

Nurmagomedov proved that Dagestani fighters can make it into the UFC and go all the way to the top, and a host of fighters are looking to follow in his footsteps.
It would be no surprise to see Nurmagomedov take up the mantle left by his father and become the figurehead and leader of his team as he helps develop and mentor the next generation of Dagestani fighters.

It may have been the last time we see him fighting in the octagon, but we may well see him in the corner for many years to come.
Respect from his peers

Heading into his fight with Gaethje, the topic of Nurmagomedov’s potential retirement was already being discussed, but most believed the Russian would look to take his career to 30-0 – and potentially compete in a superfight with Canadian UFC legend St-Pierre – before deciding to hang up his four-ounce gloves for good.
But that decision came one fight early as he revealed to the world that his win over Gaethe in Abu Dhabi would be his final appearance in the UFC.
Nurmagomedov’s retirement was met by tributes from fellow fighters.