Khabib Nurmagamedov has revealed he believed he was 'always a champion' and has pinpointed his moment of realisation to a clash between Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez.
The Russian lightweight became UFC lightweight champion back in 2018 when he defeated Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision, and then successfully defended his belts against the likes of Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and most famously against bitter rival Conor McGregor.
He was also undefeated during his career winning all of his 29 bouts in the UFC before announcing his retirement after the extraordinary performance against Gaethje at Fight Island in his last contest.
And the former lightweight champion has revealed that he knew he would 'always' conquer the division and labelled Pettis' and Melendez's clash as a turning point for his realisation.
"People ask me, when you become champion what did you feel, I say 'no I was always champion'," Khabib revealed on Mike Tyson's Hotboxin' podcast.
"In my mind all the time, when I see someone compete in my weight class I am like 'okay'.
"When UFC signed me it was 2012, 2013, 2014 that time I would think about 'I am gonna beat these guys I am gonna beat all of them'".
The Russian lightweight has been well-known for his elite ground game and submissions during his time in the UFC, and has formed a reputation of pulling off incredible choke holds including 'the fulcrum choke' that handed him the biggest victory of his career against McGregor back in 2018.
But Nurmagomedov believed he had the talent to go to the very top when studying other fighters in the division, and reveals his 'focus' to work his way past the leading contenders.
"I remember when Anthony Pettis fought with Gilbert Melendez, and I think to myself 'These guys, people call them the best in the world?'," Khabib continued.
"I think to myself, I can beat these guys.
"My focus was crazy, after that Rafael Dos Anjos then after like three months beat Anthony Pettis.
"And I was thinking, one year ago I mauled Rafael Dos Anjos.
"I'm here without belt and all these chickens fight for my title."
The Russian was on the podcast with legendary heavyweight 'Iron' Mike, and revealed previously that he wished he possessed the 'boxing ability' of the American during his career in the UFC.
He also weighed in on the boxing world and the debate between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, to which he backed Fury as the 'best fighter in the world ' ahead of the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford and Joshua.
With an ongoing feud with his former opponent McGregor, Khabib has been forced to respond to a tweet appearing to mock his father which was later deleted by the Irishman.
This has since been followed by another deleted tweet from the 33-year-old who claimed he would 'eat Khabib's children', which joins a series of tweeting tirades that have plagued the star's reputation online during his recent career.
