Khabib Nurmagomedov had a heartfelt message for former opponent Edson Barboza after the Brazilian veteran announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at UFC 330.
Last weekend, Khabib Nurmagomedov was cageside coaching longtime friend and teammate Islam Makhachev, who successfully defended his UFC welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry.
While Makhachev was adding another chapter to his legacy, another respected UFC veteran was bringing his career to a close.
Following his defeat at UFC 330, Barboza removed his gloves inside the Octagon and officially announced his retirement from the sport at 40 years old.
Before becoming one of MMA’s most respected coaches, Khabib Nurmagomedov built a legendary career of his own. The former UFC lightweight champion retired with a perfect 29-0 record after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Along the way, he defeated some of the biggest names in the sport, including Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Gaethje.
One of those victories came against Barboza at UFC 219 in a lightweight title eliminator. Khabib’s dominant unanimous decision win earned him a long-awaited shot at UFC gold.
In backstage footage captured during UFC 330 and later featured on Anatomy of a Fighter, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his thoughts on Barboza’s decision to walk away from the sport.
“Long time ago, the sport left him. But today, he leaves the sport, too,” Nurmagomedov said.“This happens. When you’re 40 years old, you have to think about your family. Family is better than being beat up like this. Just my opinion. But he’s a legend!”
The comments reflected the respect that Khabib Nurmagomedov still holds for his former opponent despite their history inside the cage.
Barboza leaves the sport as one of the most exciting strikers in UFC history. Since making his promotional debut at UFC 123, he built a reputation for delivering highlight-reel finishes and unforgettable performances.
Throughout his UFC run, Barboza earned notable victories over Paul Felder, Beneil Dariush, Anthony Pettis, and several other top contenders. His spinning wheel-kick knockout of Terry Etim remains one of the most iconic finishes the promotion has ever seen.
While Khabib Nurmagomedov’s path ultimately led him to championship glory and an undefeated retirement, Barboza carved out a legacy of his own through durability, longevity, and elite-level competition across multiple eras of the UFC.
With Barboza officially stepping away from the sport, the praise from Khabib Nurmagomedov serves as a reminder of the respect he earned from some of the greatest fighters of his generation.
