Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the UFC on his own terms while still fighting at the top. Since his retirement, the Dagestani has spent most of his time coaching other fighters on his team. Similar to his fighting career, Nurmagomedov is undefeated as a head coach. As it turns out, there is a very valid reason for his success.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has always advocated extremely hard training sessions. Many viral videos showcased the strict and hardcore nature of these training camps practiced by the ‘Eagle.’ In a recent interview, Eric Nicksick, the head coach of Xtreme Couture Gym, discussed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s no-nonsense approach.
There’s no music, there’s no bullsh*tting, they’re not there to talk with one another and joke around and it’s you’re there, and it’s work from the moment you step on the mat until the moment you’re off the mat.
Eric Nicksick via Red Corner MMA
Over the last few years, Khabib Nurmagomedov has effectively coached Islam Makhachev to the lightweight title. He just helped his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, become the UFC’s top bantamweight contender. While many other fighters have questioned the stigma around Nurmagomedov’s superior coaching methods, the former champion is yet to be proven wrong.
⚡️🤝Extreme Couture’s head coach, Erik Nicksick, shared what it’s like to work with Khabib.
“When Khabib is running practices at the UFC PI… there is no music, no bull****ing.”
🎥 @RedCorner_MMA ▫️ pic.twitter.com/MlUVXCMhx6
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 11, 2024
Nicksick also mentioned how Nurmagomedov got mad at Belal Muhammad for bringing an uninvited guest to the training camp. Nurmagomedov played an integral part in helping Muhammad get his recent win over Leon Edwards and capture the welterweight title. This has further elevated Khabib Nurmagomedov’s reputation as a coach.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s influence on Belal Muhammad’s title win was blown out of proportion
Going into UFC 304, Belal Muhammad was not the fan favorite to win the welterweight title against Leon Edwards. Many fans and experts wrote of the fighter due to his lack of striking abilities. However, ‘Remember The Name’ proved everybody wrong by dominating Edwards for five rounds in Manchester.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s role in Belal Muhammad’s success (via Instagram)In the fight, Muhammad channeled his inner Nurmagomedov and put on impressive pressure through his grappling. Many, including Dana White, gave Nurmagomedov credit for his coaching. In a recent interview, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s corner coach, Javier Mendez, burst the bubble surrounding the discussion.
Khabib only put like maybe a week [or] two weeks to help him on this one, and the rest he spent with his coaches. So, to me, I don’t like the narrative when they make it look like Khabib made the big difference when yeah he helped him, but his coaches made the difference.
Javier Mendez via Submission Radio
The ‘Eagle’ also made sure to speak on the matter as he didn’t want to take anything away from Muhammad’s coaches. Like his late father, the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib Nurmagomedov is also on his way to establishing himself as a great coach. He has kept his father’s teachings and philosophies, which have become a game changer for Team Khabib.
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