You ever see the reaction of Joe Lauzon’s South Shore fans when he beat Melvin Guillard? If you haven’t, you have to. If you have, you should enjoy it again.
When UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov successfully defended his title vs. Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254, that’s pretty much what happened in his home, the Russian Republic of Dagestan.
Anticipation was almost unimaginably high. On UFC 254 ‘Embedded’ Episode 5, Khabib’s coach Javier Mendez shared a photo of a sign on a mall entrance – it was closed for “Khabib Day.”
When Khabib won, due to the main card starting at 2:00 p.m. ET instead of the usual 10:00 p.m., it was around midnight local time, rather than 7:00 or 8:00 am the next day. The reaction was titanic.
This is fans watching the fight projected next to a gas station.
Below fans gathered from apartment blocks gather outside to watch.
And here fans celebrate in the streets.
After the win, Khabib spoke in Russian to his fans.
To my fans, if I say my fans in Russia, that would be wrong. Let’s say all my Russian-speaking fans. A huge thank you to you all, he began, as translated by RT Sport. When I started in 2008, and when I signed with the UFC in 2012, many people didn’t believe. They thought it was impossible. I’m a simple guy from a Dagestani mountain village.
“When I came here, my brother told me ‘Google says you’re the planet’s most discussed person.’ I couldn’t believe it because I didn’t even think of that. I just wanted to be champion with the guidance of my father. I never thought I’d get such a heavy load dropped on my shoulders, he said.
Alhamdulillah (praise be to god). If you have parents, be close to them. That’s al. I only have one parent left, my mom. I want to spend more time with her.
Khabib has retired to become head of household following the death of his father Abdulmanap in July due to complications from COVID-19. With a following as seen above, and a friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Khabib could enjoy a remarkable career as a politician. Or, with tens of millions of dollars in the bank in a republic with a per capita GNP of $3,230 (less than Angola), “The Eagle” can simply enjoy life as a family man, and legend.
