Khabib Nurmagomedov – Page 14 – Syndication Server

Former UFC fighters Ray Borg, Cody Gibson to meet at Eagle FC 44

The Khabib Nurmagomedov-led promotion’s first event on American soil is loading up with notable names.

Former UFC bantamweights [autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag] and [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag] are set to throw down at the inaugural North American event for [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s Eagle FC promotion.

A person with knowledge of the booking recently informed MMA Junkie of the matchup but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Eagle FC 44 event takes place Jan. 28 in Miami and is expected to stream on FLX Cast.

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Borg (14-5), a former UFC flyweight title challenger, was released by the UFC in 2020 following a string of bout cancellations for various reasons. Since then, Borg has competed once – a unanimous decision victory over Jesse Arnett at UAE Warriors 20 in June.

Since his UFC release in 2015, Gibson (18-7) has gone 6-1 with two finishes. In his most recent fight, Gibson defeated former UFC flyweight title challenger John Dodson by unanimous decision at XMMA 3.

With the addition, the Eagle FC lineup includes:

Antonio Silva vs. Tyrone Spong
Rashad Evans vs. TBA
Ray Borg vs. Cody Gibson

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Conor McGregor downplays Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy: ‘A good fighter, not great’

Conor McGregor thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov retired too soon to be considered an all-time great, among other things.

[autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] retired from MMA too soon to be considered an all-time great.

Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) hung up his gloves in October 2020 after three lightweight title defenses over McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. The 33-year-old retired undefeated and was remarkably only getting better as the competition got stiffer.

But the likes of former two-time UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz have questioned “The Eagle’s” decision to stop fighting in the heat of his prime, and former UFC two-division champ McGregor echoes that sentiment. Of course, McGregor was hoping to get a rematch with Nurmagomedov after he submitted to him and a brawl ensued, claiming that there was unfinished business.

McGregor has not minced words when it comes to his rival, but in a recent debate with filmmaker Will Harris, also known as “Anatomy of a Fighter” on Twitter, McGregor couldn’t help but chime in when Harris claimed that Nurmagomedov never deemed himself as the greatest.

Among the topics discussed were weight divisions, Nurmagomedov’s harsh words toward Jose Aldo, and more.

Check out their interaction below.

Khabib Nurmagomedov describes why he told Justin Gaethje to ‘shut up’ about UFC title shot

Former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has respect for Justin Gaethje but believes Islam Makhachev deserves a title shot next

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] recently caused a stir on social media after he directly addressed his former opponent’s wishes.

At UFC 268, former interim lightweight champion [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] rebounded from a loss to Nurmagomedov by defeating Michael Chandler via unanimous decision. Gaethje felt he was due for a title shot after the win, but Nurmagomedov felt that chance belongs to Islam Makhachev and relayed his message on social media. “Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you,” Nurmagomedov wrote on social media.

The message left some wondering if it was Nurmagomedov or his manager Ali Abdelaziz who wrote the statement, but the former champion confirmed he was the one who sent the message.

“It was myself,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN. “It was not Ali, 100 percent. Even if it was Ali, like Ali is never going to write something like that to Justin Gaethje. I know they have good relationship, like many years, like maybe like seven or eight years. These guys are like very good friends, you know?”

Nurmagomedov’s teammate, Makhachev, defeated Dan Hooker in the first round at UFC 267, making it nine straight wins in one of the toughest divisions in the sport. He is now set to face Beneil Dariush in February, looking to make his case for a title shot undeniable – but Nurmagomedov believes a tenth win is unnecessary.

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Now that we know for certain who was behind the statement, why did Nurmagomedov take such a firm stance with someone like Gaethje, for who he has a great deal of respect in the sport?

The former champion described his position, clarifying he has no ill will towards his former opponent. Nurmagomedov also explained how Gaethje helped with a weight cut in the past, reiterating the amount of respect they have for one another.

“I just shared with him my opinion,” Nurmagomedov said. “my opinion Islam deserves this, you know? Of course, I understand that Justin is very exciting. Justin is like, he’s a real highlight. He’s a real highlight. But it’s my opinion.

“I think like anybody in UFC right now, doesn’t matter lightweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight, any weight classes – if you have nine (fight) win streak, you have to fight for the title.”

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Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to be ‘almost’ like Dana White, with one big exception: ‘I want to save my hair’

As Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC brand readies for its U.S. debut, the former UFC champ says he’ll look to Dana White for some inspiration.

As [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s Eagle FC brand readies for its U.S. debut in 2022, the former UFC lightweight champion admits he’s looking to emulate some of the same strategies as his ultra-successful former boss, Dana White.

But there’s one very key reason Nurmagomedov says he doesn’t want to be exactly like White.

“First of all, I have hair on my head,” Nurmagomedov joked in an interview with ESPN. “I see Dana’s photo when he was just beginning with the UFC, and right now you can see he doesn’t have hair on his head, you know? I don’t want to become like Dana.”

Fortunately for Nurmagomedov, Eagle FC still has some building to do before the promotion has to worry about any comparisons to White and the UFC. But the retired great is understanding of the uphill climb ahead and says it’s important to note that he doesn’t see the promotion as a potential competitor to other major brands – at least not for now.

“I don’t want to compete with someone,” Nurmagomedov said. “It’s not a secret that UFC is best in the world. Almost 30 years, these guys, the UFC, they’re doing great shows around the world. UFC is very big brand. I don’t want to compete with other promotions. I have my view. I have my principles. I have my view, and maybe it’s because this is just beginning.

“You know, right now is like the end of November. I remember one year ago, end of November, I buy Eagle FC. We have only 12 months. If you want to become big, we need like five, six years. We need five, six years, and we have to do around the world, like everywhere, some events. We have to sign a lot of fights. It’s too early to talk about competing with some big fish. We’re just beginning, and I’m very excited about this journey.”

Like White, Nurmagomedov said he plans on being involved in the operations of his promotion and is not looking to become a silent financial partner behind the scenes. While he’ll look at the example White has set in some aspects, Nurmagomedov said he’ll ultimately prove a very different leader – one with hair.

“Yeah, I’m going to promote,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m going to support. I’m going to be there – almost like Dana, but I don’t want to be like Dana with my hair. I want to save my hair.”

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov to Justin Gaethje: ‘Shut up’ and admit Islam Makhachev deserves UFC title shot

The former champion doesn’t agree Justin Gaethje should be next in line for the UFC title with Islam Makhachev waiting in the wings.

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] were largely cordial, yet competitive in the buildup to their UFC 254 bout in September 2020.

Now in 2021, things have taken a different tone, as Nurmagomedov training partner and now underling [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] races Gaethje to be first to challenge for UFC lightweight gold in 2022.

Both Gaethje (23-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) are coming off big wins in recent weeks. At UFC 268 on Saturday, Gaethje defeated former Bellator champion Michael Chandler via unanimous decision. One week prior, Makhachev made quick work of Dan Hooker with a first-round submission.

With champion Charles Oliveira scheduled for Dec. 11 against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in Las Vegas, it’s unclear who will await the victor. However, in an Instagram comment Thursday, Nurmagomedov made it clear who he thinks is the clear cut frontrunner – and it wasn’t Gaethje.

“In last 8 fight, you got finished 3 times Justin,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep Islam is on the 9 win streak, 3 fight in 2021 and all finishes. Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you.”

As it stands, Gaethje is 5-1 in his most recent six fights with the lone loss coming against Nurmagomedov. Meanwhile, Makhachev rides a nine-fight winning streak dating back to 2015.

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Michael Chandler says Islam Makhachev ‘not even close’ to Khabib Nurmagomedov right now

Michael Chandler does think Islam Makhachev is “very good,” but the comparisons to Khabib need to slow down.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] doesn’t think fighting [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] would compare to being in there with [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] – at least not yet.

Although Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is on a similar path of dominance, most recently making quick work of Dan Hooker this past Saturday with a first-round submission at UFC 267, Chandler (22-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was always excited about the prospect of handing Nurmagomedov his first loss.

Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, retired in October 2020, ending his career with three straight submissions over Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje. No one had an answer for Nurmagomedov’s ground game and while no one has been able to stop Makhachev lately, either, they just don’t have the same aura in Chandler’s eyes.

“No, not even close,” Chandler told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference Wednesday. “Are they similar? Absolutely. Are they brothers and teammates? Yes, absolutely. I mean, what Khabib has accomplished, it wasn’t Khabib’s skillset, it was the mystique that surrounded Khabib’s accomplishments inside the sport – undefeated and making every superhuman guy in the division look like a mere mortal. So, I wouldn’t say he’s the next best thing whatsoever.”

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Chandler did however laud Makhachev’s skillset but thinks he has a lot of work to do if he wants to be talked about in the same light as Nurmagomedov.

“I do think he’s very good,” Chandler said. “Obviously the way that he dispatched Dan Hooker in the first round solidifies himself as a top guy. But when you start comparing those two, he’s just not there yet. This is his first time beating a guy in the top 10, and Khabib did it for however many years before that.”

Chandler will look to re-enter the title picture when he meets Justin Gaethje on the main card of UFC 268 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.

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The best of Hasbullah at UFC 267, including his post-event skirmish with bitter rival Abdu

The little man cast the biggest shadow at UFC 267.

While UFC 267 was centered around the athletes competing inside the cage Saturday in Abu Dhabi, a massive star cast a ginormous shadow by his front-row presence at the event.

Viral Russian social media sensation and global star Hasbullah had one of the best seats in the house at Etihad Arena as he sat next to UFC president Dana White and mixed it up with a number of the promotion’s big names past and present.

Before, during, and after the fight, the 19-year-old little man created quite the frenzy on social media for his in and out-of-cage appearances. He met MMA legends like [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] and [autotag]Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira[/autotag] (who may or may not have known that Hasbullah was not actually a young child) and reconvened with friends [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag].

Scroll below to see some of Hasbullah’s best moments from UFC 267.

Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrate Fedor Emelianenko’s KO of Tim Johnson at Bellator 269

Fedor Emelianenko’s walk-off knockout of Tim Johnson had everyone on their feet – including Khabib Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag]’s walk-off knockout of Tim Johnson had everyone on their feet – including [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag].

Emelianenko (40-6 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) returned from an almost two-year layoff to face Johnson in the main event of Bellator 269 on Saturday, and he put on a show in front of his home fans in Moscow.

It took “The Last Emperor” less than two minutes to put Johnson away and it appears the 45-year-old legend still has a lot of fight left in him. A cageside Nurmagomedov couldn’t contain his excitement as he applauded Emelianenko’s emphatic return to the cage.

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Despite his standout performance, Emelianenko remains uncertain of his fighting future. With one fight remaining on his Bellator contract, Emelianenko didn’t rule out a return to competition, but said he needs some time to reflect with his family before making a decision.

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Usman Nurmagomedov calls for step up in competition after one-sided Bellator 269 showing

After another first-round finish, Usman Nurmagomedov demands a step up in competition.

[autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] thinks he’s ready.

After a dominant first-round submission over Patrik Pietila on Saturday at Bellator 269, Nurmagomedov (14-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) called for a step up in competition against a ranked fighter.

“I certainly want a top fighter next, top 10, maybe top 15,” Nurmagomedov said through an interpreter at a virtual post-fight news conference. “It doesn’t really matter to me, but it has to be a top fighter. I need to take a bit of a rest because I have camps there (and) camps here every two-and-half-months. I really need some rest, but that’ll be just a week. Just a week’s rest, and I’m back intact.”

Already seated in the promotion’s official lightweight rankings, Nurmagomedov is eying the title – even though the opportunity isn’t imminent. In fact, prior to being informed at the Bellator 269 post-fight news conference, he wasn’t even aware the 155-pound title had recently been vacated. Why? It doesn’t matter who has the title when he reaches the top.

“When it comes to talking to Scott (Coker) about the next title (shots), I have not yet talked to Scott about anything,” Nurmagomedov said. “… When the time comes to fight for the belt, I really won’t care who is there, who reached what. I know one thing: I’m going to take the belt and take it back home.

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Nurmagomedov, the younger cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib, has high aspirations in the sport. Unbeatable thus far in his professional career, Nurmagomedov hopes to leave a legacy similar to his legendary relative.

“When it comes to me and Khabib, Khabib taught me everything,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m always training with Khabib. I’m always mirroring his technique, and everything I know is just through the way Khabib does it for quite obvious reasons. For me, he is an icon. Obviously, that’s where I’m trying to get myself to.”

Bellator 269 took place Saturday at VTB Arena in Moscow. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Usman Nurmagomedov predicts cousin Khabib will become better coach than fighter

Could Khabib be a better fighter than coach? His cousin thinks so.

[autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] has the bloodline and the coaching – and for him, they are one in the same.

The weeks leading up to his third promotional appearance have been no different for Nurmagomedov (13-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), who competes Saturday vs. Patrik Pietila (11-8 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) at Bellator 269 in Moscow.

He continues to train under cousin [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif. Despite a room full of high-level Russian athletes, Nurmagomedov revealed there’s no inter-camp competition – and he certainly doesn’t feel an urgency to amass more wins than his cousin.

“We’re friends in camp,” Nurmagomedov said at a virtual pre-fight news conference Tuesday. “There is no goal for us to compete with each other on that level. We’re friends and we just do what we do. … I don’t have a personal goal of overcoming and beating Khabib’s record. The goal to me is to stay undefeated. At the end of the day, I’ll always be known as Khabib’s (cousin), if you know what I mean. ”

Since Khabib’s retirement, the former UFC lightweight champion has unsurprisingly found his niche following in the footsteps of his father, the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. In his short tenure as a coach, Khabib’s win-loss record is lopsided toward victory, something that makes his cousin think history will continue to be made.

“I believe that Khabib can definitely take that spot (as one of the best coaches ever),” Usman Nurmagomedov said. “Whatever he’s putting his mind to, usually and normally, he achieves that. In this case, I definitely believe that he would be a better coach than he is a fighter.”

The Nurmagomedov mentality is a stalwart and strong, so much so that tapping is viewed by the group as an unacceptable outcome. Why? Nurmagomedov explained that mental blemishes are permanent compared to physical ones.

“Well, if you go to sleep, you’re going to wake up,” Nurmagomedov said. “If something breaks, it’s going to heal. To me, it’s easier to go to sleep or it’s easier to actually have something broken because that will heal certainly faster than my self esteem. … In my mentality, there is not thought of losing. In fact, what I do to apply it is that I keep on training. I keep my mind straight and I keep on preparing for fights all the time as much as I can to continue the legacy.”

Bellator 269 takes place Saturday at VTB Arena in Moscow. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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