Khabib Nurmagomedov is "like a tyrant" as a coach, says Belal Muhammad

Belal Muhammad (left), Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) [Images courtesy: Getty]
Belal Muhammad (left), Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) [Images courtesy: Getty]

Belal Muhammad has largely credited former UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov for his success at UFC 280. 'Remember the Name' put on a dominant performance against the highly touted Sean Brady, picking up a second-round TKO to close out the prelims.

The welterweight contender trained extensively for the matchup with Team Khabib in Abu Dhabi. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Muhammad detailed the intense training sessions under Nurmagomedov's supervision and compared his "tyrant" coaching style with that of former NBA star Michael Jordan.

'Remember the Name' said:

"These guys train differently. It's the hard work that we put in, it was another level. Him [Nurmagomedov] as a coach, he's like a tyrant. He's like how Michael Jordan and his teammates were hating him, but he just wanted to pull the greatness out of you. That's what Khabib wants, he wants to pull the greatness out of you."

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Watch Belal Muhammad discuss training with Khabib Nurmagomedov below:

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This wasn't the first time Belal Muhammad trained with Khabib Nurmagomedov for a UFC fight. The welterweight also had a 10-day training camp with the Dagestani star and his team for his headliner bout against Leon Edwards in March 2021. That fight was ruled a no-contest after an accidental eye poke from the current UFC welterweight champion.


Belal Muhammad compares training with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev

Newly crowned lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has often drawn comparisons to his longtime friend and teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

During the aforementioned interview with TMZ Sports, Muhammad detailed his training sessions with both men when asked about how they compare to each other. The welterweight contender said:

"They're very similar in a lot of ways. Khabib's gonna put you in there, he's gonna drown you. He wants you to suffer. Islam [is like], 'Let me get you out of there'... He has a heart, 'Let me just tap you out.' Khabib is like, if he sees you suffering, he's like happy about it, he's smiling."

Belal Muhammad revealed that he also received pointers from Islam Makhachev, who headlined the UFC 280 card and captured the vacant lightweight crown against Charles Oliveira.

Meanwhile, Muhammad moved up a spot to No.4 in the welterweight rankings after his impressive victory over the then-undefeated Sean Brady. Following his performance, 'Remember the Name' called for a title shot against Edwards. However, he is also open to a potential showdown against another undefeated sensation, Khamzat Chimaev.

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Edited by Aziel Karthak
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