The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Mixed Martial Arts›Khabib Nurmagomedov
Sports • Mixed Martial Arts

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist best known for competing in the UFC lightweight division.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC lightweight division. He retired with an undefeated record of 29 wins and 0 losses and held the UFC Lightweight Championship from April 2018 to March 2021. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.

Early life

Khabib Nurmagomedov was born in 1988 in Dagestan, then part of the Soviet Union. He came from a martial arts family and was trained from a young age.

Mixed martial arts career

He competed professionally in MMA and became known for his grappling-heavy style. In the UFC, he fought in the lightweight division and built a 29–0 record before retiring.

UFC championship reign

Nurmagomedov won the UFC Lightweight Championship in April 2018 and held it until March 2021, making him the longest-reigning UFC lightweight champion at the time.

Legacy

Nurmagomedov is widely considered one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. His undefeated record and championship run made him one of the sport's most prominent figures.

Key facts

  • Competed in the UFC lightweight division.
  • Held the UFC Lightweight Championship for nearly three years.
  • Retired undefeated with a 29–0 professional MMA record.
  • Is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
  • Was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
🍁
Canadian context

He is a major global figure in mixed martial arts, a sport with a strong fan base in Canada and frequent UFC events featuring Canadian athletes and audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Khabib Nurmagomedov?
He is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist best known for his undefeated UFC career and lightweight championship reign.
What was Khabib Nurmagomedov’s record?
He retired with 29 wins and 0 losses in professional MMA.
What weight class did Khabib Nurmagomedov fight in?
He competed in the UFC lightweight division.
When was Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC champion?
He held the UFC Lightweight Championship from April 2018 to March 2021.
Was Khabib Nurmagomedov inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Yes. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on 30 June 2022.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khabib_Nurmagomedov
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, UFC lightweight division, 29–0 record, championship reign, and UFC Hall of Fame induction.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/bio?id=2611557
    Supports: Birthdate, nationality, nickname, team, and stance.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2611557/khabib-nurmagomedov
    Supports: Nickname, weight class, birthdate, team, and stance.