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Khabib Nurmagomedov was undoubtedly one of the most successful MMA fighters in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) over the last few years. However, much to everyone's shock, the Russian announced that he was set to retire from the sport and UFC President Dana White officially confirmed the news on 19 March 2021.
Following the end of an era, it was going to be intriguing to see what plans Khabib had for future. There were many speculations and the mystery did not take too much time to unravel as it was revealed that the former UFC fighter had purchased a Russian-based MMA promotion - the Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC) - which was being re-named as the Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC).
Since then, Khabib has been working on the development of EFC which has been operating primarily in Russia. However, the 33-year-old is now looking to expand the promotion to United States. He recently revealed the future course of action for EFC and confirmed that a big announcement will be made in Miami on December 15.
If you want to be best, you have to be in the US: Khabib
"The next show for Eagle FC is going to be in Moscow (on) Dec. 10. It’s going to be a very big show – last show of this year. It’s going to be a very big fight card. … Next, it’s going to be in the U.S. in Miami end of January. It’s going to be a very big show. We’re going to have three, four big stars we already signed. I don’t want to announce (them) right now because Dec. 15, I’m going to have a big press conference in Miami. I’m going to come to Florida," Khabib told ESPN.
The 33-year-old added that 2022 is going to be a very big year for Eagle FC. The promotion is expected to sign more than 50 fighters around the world, which will include young fighters, former UFC and Bellator stars. He revealed that EFC will have big shows and some of them are going to be in Miami.
Khabib also reflected on the importance of being in United States if they (EFC) want to become big in MMA. "For fighters, for promotions – you have to be in the U.S. If you’re not in the U.S., you can never become No. 1. It’s almost impossible. It’s my opinion if you want to be best, you have to be in the U.S,” he concluded.
