Dan Hooker recently praised Khabib Nurmagomedov for his remarkable career in mixed martial arts, highlighting the wisdom behind retiring undefeated. Hooker noted that maintaining an unbeaten record is rare in the sport, and Nurmagomedov made a smart choice by stepping away while still at his peak.
Khabib ended his career with a formidable 29-0 record, just one win shy of 30. His final fight took place at UFC 254 in 2020 against Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout. Khabib won by submission, locking in a triangle choke during the second round. After the victory, he announced his retirement during an interview inside the octagon with Jon Anik.
Hooker’s Perspective on Fighter Longevity and Timing
In an interview with Sky Sport NZ, Hooker discussed the challenges fighters face with time and risk in their careers:
”The enemy of any fighter is father time. You give it enough time, you roll the dice enough times, you come up snake eyes. That’s just the nature of the beast that we’re working with. It’s like we’ve only had one fighter get in and get out after a good streak and that’s Khabib. And you think he retired because he was like there’s no one to challenge me. I’m going to retire.”
—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight Contender
Hooker elaborated on Khabib’s intelligence in knowing when to retire, pointing to the hazards fighters face:
”Like he’s just a very smart fighter. He was undefeated and he knew that if he kept taking those chances, if he kept rolling those dice that he was going to like you can get clipped in so many different ways in our sport. So he was a smart fighter and that’s one fighter in MMA history that’s got in and got out with that perfect record which is credit to him.”
—Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight Contender
Currently riding a three-fight winning streak, Hooker was previously scheduled to meet Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 but withdrew due to a hand injury. He is now preparing for a potential fight against Charles Oliveira in the UFC’s November event.
Khabib’s Own View on the Greatest Fighters in MMA History
Khabib Nurmagomedov, widely recognized as one of the sport’s all-time greats, has kept a measured perspective on the debate about the greatest MMA fighter. During a recent podcast with Adam Zubayraev on the Hustle Show, Nurmagomedov named two fighters he regards as the best in the history of the sport.
”I’d say two guys, if that’s allowed. Fedor [Emelianenko] and [Jon] Jones…A person can be confident and think they’re the best, that’s normal. But if you’re convinced you’re the greatest of all time, that’s egocentrism. To me that’s narcissism.”
—Khabib Nurmagomedov, Former UFC Lightweight Champion
His comments reflect a modest and thoughtful approach to legacy, distinguishing confidence from arrogance.
The Impact of Khabib’s Legacy and Its Influence on Fighters Like Hooker
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unprecedented choice to retire undefeated has set a benchmark not only for longevity but also for strategic career management in the UFC. Fighters like Dan Hooker observe the importance of timing their departure to preserve their legacies, highlighting the physical risks inherent to the sport. Khabib’s career remains a blueprint for balancing peak performance with smart decision-making.
With Hooker aiming to climb higher in the lightweight rankings, the legacy of fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov inevitably influences the next generation of contenders as they navigate their careers amid increasingly tough competition.