LAS VEGAS – The UFC on Thursday inducted the MMA version of “The Odd Couple” into its Hall of Fame, as former titles Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov officially joined its modern wing.
Cormier and Nurmagomedov were both present at the T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. Cormier, 43, is a two-time UFC champion. Nurmagomedov, 33, is a former lightweight champion who retired with a 29-0 record.
Each of the two stars announced their retirement from the MMA in 2020. In addition to being one of the two leading fighters in the world, Cormier and Nurmagomedov were built on a humorous friendship that fans of the game fell in love with. Originally from Dagestan, Nurmagomedov transferred most of the UFC training camps to the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, where he trained as a cormier.
“Khabib and I are going to be together, it’s just a nice night,” Cormier said. “It means everything to me.”
Along with former U.S. Olympic wrestler, Cormier (19-3), Lafayette, Louisiana, former Light Heavyweight Champion John Jones was one of the greatest competitors in MMA history. Although he failed to beat Jones on two separate occasions in 2015 and 2017, Cormier won the championship in 205 pounds in 2015 and then became the UFC heavyweight champion in 2018.
Nurmagomedov (29-0) is considered to be the greatest fighter ever. He was also involved in a major feud with fellow superstar Conor McGregor. The two fought in UFC 229 in October 2018. Nurmagomedov introduced McGregor in the fourth round of that championship. He retired in 2020 after the death of his father, Abdulmanap, although it was still considered the pinnacle of his career.
“Ten years ago my mind was completely different,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m going to be a champion, I’m going to get rich, I’m going to buy everything. But what has happened in the last two years has changed my mind. My way of thinking has changed. My father is not with me and that’s it. It’s very difficult to say. It’s very emotional for me. “
In addition to Cormier and Nurmagomedov, UFC has added a featherweight bout between Kub Swanson (28-12) and Do Ho Choi (14-4) to its Hall of Fame Fighting Wing since 2016. He recognized active featherweights Max Holloway and Giga Chikadze as recipients of the Forest Griffin Community Award.