Justin Gaethje reveals what he said to crying Khabib Nurmagomedov immediately after their UFC 254 fight

At UFC 254, Khabib Nurmagomedov secured his legacy as one of, if not the greatest MMA fighter of all-time after defeating Justin Gaethje to successfully defend the UFC lightweight title.

He won’t be keeping the belt, though, as the Russian announced he will be retiring from the sport following the bout.

“Today I want to say this is my last fight,” Khabib said in the octagon after his win. “No way am I coming here without my father. When UFC called me about Justin I spoke with my mother for three days.

“She didn’t want me to fight without father and I said this is my last fight – and I have given her my word.”

The Eagle locked in a triangle choke at the beginning of the second round to put Gathje away, but the first round had been very competitive with two judges even scoring it in the challenger’s favour.

The sheer pressure and wrestling ability Khabib brings to the table saw him get the better of Gaethje and after forcing the American to tap, he moved to 29-0.

After the fight, Khabib broke down in the centre of the octagon and Gaethje would comfort the victor. Speaking to BT Sport after the event, Gaethje revealed what he told Khabib in that moment.

“I said ‘I’m so sorry I haven’t had the chance to tell you I’m sorry for you guys’ loss, but you just made your father really proud.’

“Right now it hurts, there’s not a lot of things that can make me feel better. I have to go home and you have to deal with this on your own, especially because you step in there alone.

“I have a lot of comforting voices and I know I make so many people proud by stepping in there, by being here and being ready. The preparation that I put in is second to none and people appreciate that.

“People that I know and come across, that’s what they’re fans of me for. For how hard I work and how I carry myself. I’m here to make people proud and on to the next one,” Gaethje said.

The lightweight division will really open up with Khabib’s departure. Conor McGregor has announced he will return, Gaethje remains in the mix and Tony Ferguson is also at the top end of the division.