Khabib Nurmagomedov is unsure of his next move after a bad rib injury took him out of a fight with Tony Ferguson on next month’s Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale event in Las Vegas.
The undefeated and highly talented young Dagestani lightweight hasn’t fought since April of 2014, and he’s said he doesn’t know if he’ll come back from this particular injury. He’s given a slight update on that, saying this weekend that his decision will have a lot to do with whatever advice he receives from his father.
“My father plays a very big role in my life and almost all major decisions I made only after consulting with him,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram. “I will fight or not depends only on God and on the opinion of my dad, if he tells me – I’m done! but he doesn’t think about this. Blessing of the parents is the most important thing.”
Penick’s Analysis: It would be an absolute shame for Nurmagomedov to be forced out of the sport at his age due to these mounting injuries, but obviously it’s taken a toll on him mentally. Just when he seems on his way to full recovery, something sets him back again, and it’s hard to feel confident in your body’s ability to hold up for you when that keeps happening. He’s a supremely talented competitor at 155 lbs, and belongs with the elite of the elite. Hopefully he’s able to get past these mental hurdles in order to get back in action.
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