Tony Ferguson lost to Michael Chiesa at UFC on ABC 7, setting a record for most consecutive octagon losses at eight.
What happened?
Khabib Nurmagomedov was in attendance, cornering his cousin Umar in the main event, and witnessed Ferguson's defeat backstage.
Nurmagomedov has previously urged Ferguson to retire, and after this latest loss, he reiterated his sentiments.
Why it matters for Tony Ferguson
Ferguson, now 40 years old, has been on a downward trend, and Nurmagomedov believes it's time for him to hang up his gloves.
The two fighters were scheduled to face each other five times but never got the opportunity due to various cancellations.
What comes next?
Nurmagomedov wishes Ferguson all the best, stating that his life is just beginning, and he's looking forward to a better life after his MMA career.
Ferguson was non-committal about his future after the fight, leaving his retirement plans uncertain.
On Saturday, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, Ferguson suffered a first-round submission defeat, prompting speculation about his potential retirement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov told UFC Europe that he wants to wish Ferguson all the best, acknowledging him as one of the best to ever do it in the UFC.
Nurmagomedov and Ferguson never got to share the octagon, despite being scheduled to fight multiple times, due to injuries and unforeseen circumstances.
The fight between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson would have been very interesting in their prime, but it was not meant to be, according to Nurmagomedov.
Reaction from Khabib Nurmagomedov
Nurmagomedov said that sometimes we have our plans, but God has his plans, and we cannot control this, reflecting on the cancelled fights between them.
Ferguson's loss to Chiesa marked his eighth consecutive defeat in the octagon, breaking B.J. Penn's record.
The UFC on ABC 7 event took place on a Saturday, with Ferguson's fight being a highly anticipated matchup.
Nurmagomedov's message to Ferguson was uplifting, wishing him the best and acknowledging his achievements in the UFC.
Ferguson's future in the UFC remains uncertain, with his retirement plans still unclear after the loss.