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Khabib Nurmagomedov is undoubtedly one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. 'The Eagle' is now increasingly becoming a contender for the list of best MMA coaches of all time. Since retiring as a fighter at UFC 254, Nurmagomedov has followed his father's footsteps and transformed into a coach.
The 29-0 former UFC lightweight champion has often caused waves in the media with his brutal coaching methods at American Kickboxing Academy. Khabib Nurmagomedov has mentored several AKA teammates and fellow Dagestani fighters, including Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov and Luke Rockhold.
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He recently coached Islam Makhachev against Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Makhachev put on a dominant display thanks to Khabib, who barked instructions while the Russian locked Hooker in a kimura.
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However, on this list, we look at five lesser known MMA fighters who have Khabib Nurmagomedov as their coach.
#5. Zubaira Tukhugov - UFC featherweight
Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1) made his UFC debut in 2014 and currently fights in the featherweight division. The Russian joined American Kickboxing Academy in 2016. Tukhugov trains under the former UFC champion's tutelage.
'The Eagle' cornered Zubaira Tukhugov against Hakeem Dawodu at UFC 253, just weeks before his swan song fight against Justin Gaethje. Tukhugov revealed how Khabib Nurmagomedov surprised him ahead of UFC 253. 'Warrior' said:
"He [Khabib] didn’t even call me. He just showed up. Khabib just comes into the locker room. It was very surprising and nice. He says, ‘I came to support you. Help you cut weight.’ I had my coach and one of my friends with me. So I could’ve used some support. Khabib came and genuinely helped me. I’d hear him encourage me."
Zubaira Tukhugov featured against Ricardo Ramos at UFC 267 with Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. The featherweight picked up a unanimous decision after three rounds and was embraced by the former lightweight champion.
Nurmagomedov also coached Tukhugov when 'The Eagle' was an active fighter in the UFC. Tukhugov trained with Nurmagomedov ahead of a grappling match in 2018. Khabib told his protege:
"If you wanna be ready for grappling match, come here. If you can beat me, you can beat anybody."
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov train Zubaira Tukhugov below:
#4. Tagir Ulanbekov - UFC flyweight
Russian fighter Tagir Ulanbekov (13-1) was one of the few people Khabib Nurmagomedov surrounded himself with during his UFC 249 training camp. After the UFC signed the flyweight in 2020, Khabib took him under his wing.
Former Fight Nights Global title challenger Tagir Ulanbekov is now on a five-fight winning streak. He has six submissions and two knockout victories. Ulanbekov, a Dagestan native, most recently fought Bruno Silva at UFC 267 with Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner.
Khabib Nurmagomedov constantly guided him from the sidelines during the fight against Silva. Ulanbekov was able to eke out a split decision win. After his victory, Tagir Ulanbekov revealed the advice he was given by his coach Khabib. He said:
"I remember the third round... I was holding him [Bruno Silva] down in the second round and ahead of the third round, Khabib said, 'Hey, what are you here for? To fight or what? You can do much better. You're not even tired. Come on, work as hard as you can.'"
Watch Tagir talk about Khabib's influence in the fight:
#3. Saygid Izagakhmaev - ONE Championship welterweight
Saygid Izagakhmaev trains with Khabib Nurmagomedov at American Kickboxing Academy. The Russian welterweight picked up a submission win in his most recent MMA outing, and the credit goes to 'The Eagle' for coaching him to victory.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, along with No.5-ranked UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev, was cornering Saygid Izagakhmaev at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Memorial Event. With his constant and priceless advice, Khabib guided Saygid to a win.
"You need to take him down and get on top. Your back was against the cage and the judges can give him the round," Khabib Nurmagomedov told Saygid Izagakhamaev after round one.
As the fight progressed and Izagamakhaev mounted his opponent Maxim Butorin, Khabib Nurmagomedov chimed in, saying:
"Stretch him out, go higher! Keep going, attack his neck. Go back, don't stop, Saygid! Throw your leg in. Hit him again and put your arm in. Choke him."
Using the experience of the undefeated UFC champion, Saygid Izagakhmaev was able to submit his opponent in round two.
Impressed with his latest performance, ONE Championship signed Saygid Izagakhamaev in October 2021.
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov coach Saygid Izagakhamaev to a win below:
#2. Gadzhi Rabadanov - Bellator lightweight
Gadzhi Rabadanov (16-4) is one of the latest in a batch of fighters to be coached by Khabib Nurmagomedov. The lightweight was signed by Bellator MMA in 2021. In his first bout with the MMA promotion - against Daniel Carey at Bellator 263 - Rabadanov was cornered by 'The Eagle'.
Rabadanov dominated Daniel Carey and scored a first-round knockout victory. The fight started with the Russian showing great poise and timing on his punches. As the first round ticked towards its end, Carey threw a leg kick, prompting an excellently timed counter hook from Khabib Nurmagomedov's student.
After a few follow-up strikes, Gadzhi Rabadanov picked up his 11th MMA win. Interestingly, as Khabib Nurmagomedov entered the octagon, he decided to help the medical staff put Carey onto a stretcher instead of congratulating Rabadanov.
#1. Islam Mamedov - Khabib Nurmagomedov's training partner since 2009
Islam Mamedov has been Khabib Nurmagomedov's training partner since 2009. He was one of three fighters coached by Nurmagomedov to fight at Bellator 263. The Russian took on Brent Primus in a lightweight bout on the main card of the event on July 31, 2021.
While Mamedov was on an impressive 18-fight win streak, Primus, who holds a win over Michael Chandler, was supposed to be a formidable challenge for Khabib's student.
Mamedov picked up a split decision win on the night, helping Khabib Nurmagomedov extend his unbeaten record as a coach. Speaking to The Schmo, Islam Mamedov spoke about the teammate who pushes him the hardest. He said:
“Obviously Khabib. Khabib is not even training right now, he just goes to the gym to push us. So yeah, definitely Khabib.”
