Khabib Nurmagomedov Didn't Want To Hurt Justin Gaethje In Front Of His Parents

Khabib Nurmagomedov opted to defeat Justin Gaethje with a triangle choke at UFC 254 because he didn't want to hurt him in front of his parents.

Nurmagomedov successfully defended his lightweight title in the main event of Saturday's show and ran out winner via second round submission.

Gaethje had stated in media prior to the fight that he would not tap out against the Dagestani fighter and Daniel Cormier has revealed 'The Eagle' knew he was a man of his word.

He explained on 'DC & Helwani': "He [Khabib] told me when he was watching interviews over the course of the week, he saw that Justin said he would never tap.

"So when he was going to the submission, he said it was his dad's favourite submission, get into the mount position, go into the armbar and then the triangle.

"When he got there, he was going to do the armbar but had heard Justin all week say that he wouldn't tap and he didn't want to hurt him in front of his parents.

"So he went for the triangle and kind of put him to sleep."

Ariel Helwani then gasps in shock and asks if Nurmagomedov was thinking about his rival, to which former two-division champion Cormier replied: "I promise you, he actually told me that.

"He goes I didn't wanna hurt him in front of his parents so I said if I put him in the triangle and if he goes to sleep, he'll go to sleep get up and be fine.

"That's exactly what he told me, crazy right?

"He didn't wanna break his arm because if Justin isn't gonna tap, you've got to break it and he didn't want to do that in front of his mom and dad."

Nurmagomedov would retire following his victory and he steps away from the octagon with a 29-0 record.

Speaking to Jon Anik immediately after the fight, he said: "Today I want to say this is my last fight.

"No way am I coming here without my father. When UFC comes to me about Justin [Gaethje] I spoke with my mother for three days.

"She didn't want me to fight without my father. I promised to her this was going to be my last fight and if I give her my word, I have to follow through with this.

"There is only one thing I want from UFC, to put me as No 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world because I deserve it."

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who also served as son Khabib's trainer, tragically died back in July due to complications caused by the coronavirus.