Khabib Nurmagomedov looks on before a bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images) ...

Nurmagomedov’s contemporaries have praised him since he shocked the UFC world. Conor McGregor, who lost to Nurmagomedov in 2018, congratulated the 32-year-old and paid his respects to his father.

Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor is the highest-selling pay-per-view in UFC history. Only three boxing fights headlined by Floyd Mayweather Jr. have drawn bigger numbers. All eyes were on UFC 229 on Oct ...