Khabib Nurmagomedov found himself attending to his fighter, who had just suffered a spectacular knockout in Dubai. Despite the urgency, Nurmagomedov still managed to convey a message to his long-time acquaintance, Anthony Pettis.
The dramatic win saw Sergio Pettis, brother of former UFC featherweight champion Anthony Pettis, deliver a devastating spinning backfist knockout against Nurmagomedov`s protégé, Magomed Magomedov, at the Coca-Cola Arena. As the legendary lightweight departed the cage to assist his fighter, he paused for a brief exchange with Sergio Pettis and his coach, Duke Roufus, a figure Nurmagomedov knew from his own fighting days.
Khabib`s Post-Fight Conversation and Message for Anthony Pettis
The fight had seen Magomed Magomedov exert significant pressure for two rounds, nearly securing several submissions. However, Sergio Pettis suddenly connected with a spinning backfist, instantly knocking the Russian unconscious. Medical staff and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov immediately attended to the fallen fighter.
Though assisted, Magomedov eventually walked out of the cage. Before Nurmagomedov fully departed, he seized the opportunity for a quick word with Pettis and Coach Roufus, explicitly using the moment to convey a message to Sergio`s well-known older brother, Anthony Pettis.
In a post-fight interview with Bloody Elbow, Pettis recounted the exchange: “He just said `good job, man. Good job on the fight and tell your brother I said hello.` Khabib is a great guy and a great athlete, and it`s unique to see him not directly in a corner during a fight.”
Pettis added, “I`m a big fan, so I was a little star-struck. But I knew I had to go out there and represent the Pettis name with pride.”
