5 most iconic Khabib Nurmagomedov moments in the UFC

#4. "I want to fight with your chicken!" - Khabib Nurmagomedov calls out Conor McGregor at UFC 205

As discussed in the previous entry, Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Michael Johnson at UFC 205 to further solidify his status as the No.1 contender at 155 lbs. Nurmagomedov, who is always respectful and doesn't engage in trash-talking, felt the need to make a statement following his victory.

With Conor McGregor set to fight for the title later that night, 'The Eagle' slammed the state of the lightweight title picture. In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, the formidable Russian highlighted the hypocrisy surrounding McGregor jumping the line and getting an immediate title shot, saying:

"I want to stay humble, but I have to talk because your guys talk too much. And you know what's interesting? I understand how [much] crazy power [the] UFC PR [public relations] machine [has]. Your guy, beginning of the year, he tap like chicken, end of the year he fight for the title! Crazy! Hey, you know guys! This is true. This is not trash talking. Hey guys, Irish only six million, Russia 150 million. I want to fight with your chicken! Because this is No.1 easy fight in lightweight division."

Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov's full post-fight interview below:

Nurmagomedov's epic and passionate post-fight interview sparked the beginning of the most heated rivalry in UFC history. McGregor went on to beat Alvarez conclusively on the night to become the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold belts in two divisions.

The Irishman went on to box Floyd Mayweather after becoming the UFC lightweight champion. His absence from the octagon, coupled with his subsequent run-ins with the law, prompted the UFC to strip him of the belt. Nurmagomedov fought for the vacant title at UFC 223 in 2018, beating Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision to become the undisputed champion.

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#3. Khabib Nurmagomedov chokes out Dustin Poirier with his late father in his corner

In his second title defense, Khabib Nurmagomedov took on Dustin Poirier. Poirier earned the UFC interim lightweight title after a five-round war with Max Holloway. He looked to unify the belts when he squared off against Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.

Up until this point in his UFC career, Nurmagomedov primarily fought in the United States. His father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who trained 'The Eagle' and most of his Dagestani brethren from a young age, never had the opportunity to watch his son compete in the octagon previously. With the fight against Poirier going down in the Middle-East, he finally got the chance to watch his son live.

Nurmagomedov dominated Poirier on the night. He submitted 'The Diamond' in the third round to successfully defend his title.

Nurmagomedov's father was a combat sambo practitioner himself and played a major role in the growth of combat sports in the Caucasus region of Russia. In his post-fight interview, the lightweight champ called upon his father to stand alongside him, much to the joy of the crowd in attendance.

Nurmagomedov's father passed away due to complications stemming from COVID-19 a year later.