Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He began his professional MMA journey in September 2008 and entered the UFC in January 2012. Nurmagomedov compiled an impressive 29-0 record, including a flawless 13-0 run within the UFC organization.
In his final MMA appearance at UFC 254 in October 2020, Nurmagomedov, then the UFC lightweight champion, faced off against interim champion Justin Gaethje in a title unification bout. He secured a second-round submission victory over Gaethje, unifying the titles and achieving his third successful defense of the lightweight belt.
Following this victory, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA during a post-fight interview in the octagon. His decision was influenced by the passing of his father, legendary MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in July 2020. Nurmagomedov disclosed that his mother did not wish for him to continue his MMA career after his father’s death, leading to his retirement following one last fight.
Despite retiring from active competition, Nurmagomedov remains a prominent figure in the UFC. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 and continues to hold significant importance in UFC programming and media, including representation in UFC-based video games.
Regarding his presence in EA Sports UFC 4, the game was released in August 2020 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms, featuring Jorge Masvidal and Israel Adesanya on the cover. The roster included over 200 unique fighters with alternate versions of approximately 80 fighters. The game offered various gameplay modes, including single-player career mode and multiplayer options.
Notably, in October 2021, following Islam Makhachev’s victory at UFC 267, the UFC 4 roster expanded to include ‘Prime Icons’ of legendary fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov. This special version of Nurmagomedov was rated as a five-star fighter, excelling in grappling with a five-star rating, along with strong health and striking attributes.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s impact extends beyond his retirement, as evidenced by his enduring influence on the MMA community and his continued representation in popular UFC-themed video games like EA Sports UFC 4.
