5 reasons why Khabib Nurmagomedov is the GOAT

#4 The perfect time to retire

Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia

Part of the reason Khabib has one of the biggest fanbases in combat sports is his personality. Speaking ahead of UFC 254, Khabib in an interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN said:

I want to be free because I am [the] Eagle. I want to fly and fly. When my time comes, I am going to die. But before my time comes, I want to be free. I want to spend time with my family and I want to live in my village.

For many fighters, fighting is a drug they can't seem to live without. In Khabib's case, he seems to value other things in his life much more than fighting and the gold-dust that comes along with being a top sports personality.

We have seen many a fighter go out on their own shield in combat sport, exiting as pale shadows of their former dominant selves. Take for example Fedor Emelianenko or Anderson Silva who still continue to fight to this day. Even Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr., well into their 50's, are going to compete against each other.

To be able to retire at the top of the MMA world, as an undisputed champion and the pound-for-pound the best fighter in the sport, is an understated achievement. It puts an exclamation mark on his greatness.