UFC president Dana White spoke on the Named Games YouTube channel about the fallout surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov’s win over Conor McGregor in 2018. He described the post-fight attention as shifting dramatically toward Nurmagomedov, noting that a higher level of fame brought new expectations and opportunities for endorsement and access. White indicated that as Nurmagomedov gained prominence, the approach toward him mirrored how some top fighters are treated when they reach similar levels of superstardom.
The clash between McGregor and Nurmagomedov occurred in the fall of 2018. For Nurmagomedov, it marked the first defense of the UFC lightweight title, with the Russian champion winning by submission in the fourth round.
Nurmagomedov compiled a perfect record across 29 MMA bouts. His final fight happened in the fall of 2020, a victory over American challenger Justin Gaethje. Immediately afterward, he stated that he had promised his mother not to continue competing without his father by his side, leading to his retirement from professional competition.
Previously, White had cautioned against labeling Nurmagomedov as the greatest fighter of all time, emphasizing that such judgments depend on various criteria and perspectives.
These statements reflect White’s broader view on how rising stars are managed and celebrated within the sport, as well as the cultural and financial dynamics that come with peak UFC status. Attribution: This summary reflects public remarks reported by the Named Games channel and associated coverage.