Khabib Nurmagomedov to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

LAS VEGAS — Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former lightweight champion who is regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound champions in mixed martial arts history, will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 2 during International Fight Week activities, the UFC announced Saturday.

He will be inducted into the Hall’s modern fighter wing, joining Georges St-Pierre, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping, Ronda Rousey, Urijah Faber, B.J. Penn and Forrest Griffin.

Nurmagomedov, who was 29-0 overall in MMA with 19 finishes, debuted in the UFC on Jan. 20, 2012, when he submitted Kamal Shalorus. He finished 13-0 in the UFC and held the promotion’s lightweight title from 2018 until he retired following a submission of Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

“Khabib is one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in professional sports,” UFC president Dana White said. “No one dominated their opponents the way Khabib did, and to retire undefeated, as lightweight champion and the No. 1 pound-for-pound athlete in the world is an incredible accomplishment. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Nurmagomedov grew up in Dagestan, Russia. He went on to become arguably the greatest lightweight champion in the promotion’s history and a fighter whose skill was revered by his peers.

He won four UFC title bouts, defeating Al Iaquinta, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Gaethje, tying a lightweight division record.

His 12 lightweight wins without a loss are tied for the longest winning streak in the division’s history and his overall 13-bout UFC winning streak is the third-longest in UFC history.

He scored 21 takedowns in a win over Abel Trujillo at UFC 160, setting a UFC record. His 59 takedowns are second-most in division history.

His win over McGregor came in the richest fight in UFC history, which attracted a Nevada-record MMA crowd of 20,0334 with a state record $17.2 million paid gate.