This Day in MMA History, Sept. 13: Dawn of Khabib Era

Cole SheltonSep 13, 2019


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In Ukraine on Sept. 13, 2008, Khabib Nurmagomedov scored the first victory of his professional mixed martial arts career. “The Eagle” debuted at CSFU: Champions League in 2008, where he submitted Vusal Bayramov in the first round with a triangle choke.

Nurmagomedov then returned to the cage just a month later and fought -- and won -- three times in one night.

The Russian has still yet to lose an MMA fight since that night he debuted in 2008. In the intervening years, he has beaten the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Edson Barboza, Al Iaquinta, Conor McGregor and, most recently, Dustin Poirier. He is currently the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion and has two title defenses to his credit.