Khabib Nurmagomedov – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals hardest hitter he faced in UFC – but who barely fazed him

Khabib Nurmagomedov barely absorbed a clean shot throughout his career, but there was one he remembers who got him good.

UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] barely absorbed a clean shot throughout his career, but he says the hardest one came from [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag].

Former lightweight champion Nurmagomedov’s final fight of his career was against Gaethje in October 2020 at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov submitted Gaethje in Round 2 to retain his belt before announcing his retirement.

Nurmagomedov has fought the likes of Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, but he named Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) as the hardest hitter. But “The Eagle” insists he was barely fazed when Gaethje connected.

“I think it was Justin Gaethje,” Nurmagomedov said on the PBD Podcast. “He hits like truck, but it was one thing what breaks him, like when he hit me, I remember it was right uppercut and left hook. It was his best shot in the fight and I told him, ‘Brother, this is everything that you have?’ I was talking with him. It was conversation inside the cage.

“I like Justin Gaethje, and I was talking with him after this combination, and I told him, ‘This is everything that you have?’ And end of the first round, he started to like tire, and I told him, ‘This is jetlag because you come to Abu Dhabi one week before the fight. I’m here one month.’ I know where I was after one week because this is like desert. You have to be there at least a couple of weeks before the fight. I know myself, one week when I come, I cannot sleep.”

Gaethje is fresh off perhaps the biggest knockout of his career – a head-kick finish of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 to claim the “BMF” title. “The Highlight” also has stopped the likes of Michael Johnson, Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and Tony Ferguson with strikes.

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Justin Gaethje: UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev is not Khabib, and I want to prove it

Justin Gaethje doesn’t see Islam Makhachev as the unconquerable force that Khabib Nurmagomedov was.

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] doesn’t see [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] as the unconquerable force that [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] was.

Gaethje was submitted by undefeated former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov in their title fight in October 2020. As he heads into his rematch with Dustin Poirier for the “BMF” title in Saturday’s UFC 291 headliner at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Gaethje hopes it earns him a shot at lightweight champ Makhachev.

Like Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has run through most opposition until he was taken to the brink by featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. He also was knocked out in his second UFC fight by Adriano Martins, but hasn’t lost since.

“If we’re going off of what we know, then it’s going to be Volkanovski because he already fought him and it was a really close fight,” Gaethje told Shakiel Mahjouri on Makhachev’s toughest test. “I’ve never fought him. Poirier’s never fought him. … I think Volkanovski is the obvious answer for now, but I can’t wait to get in there. I know for a fact he’s not Khabib, and I want to go in there and prove that.”

The UFC opted to go with Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 for the UFC 294 headliner Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi. If the Gaethje vs. Poirier winner ever was in play, Gaethje says it would have been highly unlikely for him to turn around so quickly if he beats Poirier.

“I would say there would be a 0 percent chance,” Gaethje said. “The UFC isn’t going to protect you. It’s just the name of the game. You’ve got to take time between these fights – not just the fights, but the training camp that we just went through. I’ve just been through 12 weeks of training – extremely hard, six days a week, and your body gets broken down.

“It’s something that you’ve really got to focus on is understanding you’ve got to go through a healing process every single time you step in there. The physical aspect, but I would say even the mental aspect is a traumatic life experience every time you step in there, and you’ve really got to take some time to heal every time you do that.”

UFC 291 takes place Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.

Javier Mendez: Khabib Nurmagomedov unlikely to grapple Georges St-Pierre, devoting more time to family

As much as fans may want to see it, Javier Mendez doesn’t think Khabib Nurmagomedov will end up grappling Georges St-Pierre.

Javier Mendez doesn’t think [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] will end up grappling fellow UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Georges St-Pierre[/autotag].

St-Pierre will take part in a UFC Fight Pass Invitational no-gi jiu-jitsu match Dec. 14, but is yet to draw an opponent. People are salivating at the idea of St-Pierre vs. Nurmagomedov, but Mendez said Nurmagomedov vowed to spend more time with his family. Although it would just be a grappling match as opposed to a fight, Mendez knows “The Eagle” takes every challenge seriously, so it would occupy plenty of his time.

“I don’t know if Khabib would do the competition because he stated that his family is what it’s all about,” Mendez told MMA Junkie in an interview set up by SafeBettingSites.com. “More devoted time for the family and knowing him, any challenge is a work. So he’s going to have to stay focused on one particular thing.

“He’s not going to take it lightly if he does. So, I don’t see that happening, but I could be wrong. I never spoke to him about it, if it’s any interest to him. But in my opinion, there is no better match to make than that one.”

Mendez said although Nurmagomedov is retired, he’s still active on the mats and would be more than capable of competing.

“I think it might be of interest to him because Khabib is always training,” Mendez said. “It’s not like he doesn’t grapple. He grapples all the time. So, he hasn’t stopped training, he just doesn’t train to fight. But he still does his cardio, he still grapples with the guys, because he always tells me, ‘How are the guys going to get ready for my level if they never know my level?’

“So, he grapples with the up-and-coming guys all the time. That’s why when you see all the guys that I train that are team Khabib, that’s why their ground is so darn good because they have Khabib who had his father train him on how to keep their grappling up and Khabib does that.”

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Georges St-Pierre not ruling out Khabib Nurmagomedov as opponent for grappling match

Could Georges St-Pierre finally compete against Khabib Nurmagomedov?

LAS VEGAS – Could [autotag]Georges St-Pierre[/autotag] finally compete against [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]?

Former welterweight and middleweight champion St-Pierre will take part in a UFC Fight Pass Invitational no-gi jiu-jitsu match Dec. 14, but does not have an opponent yet.

Three names were proposed to St-Pierre in a question – Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman and Anderson Silva. He revealed that the UFC offered him a list of names, and confirmed one of those three is on it.

“They are all very attractive, but everybody has a different agenda,” St-Pierre told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday on the UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “Some are training for upcoming title fights, some are maybe too heavy, some are too light, some just retired and want nothing to do with competition.

“I received a list from the UFC today. We’re going to check and look to see who’s available, and I’m going to make a decision with the UFC and with my people to make sure we go up against someone they think the people want to see me compete against.”

However, Nurmagomedov is not one of them. When asked if “The Eagle” would be the ultimate choice, St-Pierre didn’t dismiss the possibility entirely.

“It could be,” St-Pierre responded. “There’s a lot of other potential interesting matchups, but it could be. Everybody has a different agenda, a different schedule, and we’ll see. Khabib was not on the list, but I have to make sure to see who’s available.”

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Aljamain Sterling: Charles Oliveira in lightweight GOAT debate with Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling thinks Charles Oliveira should be included in any conversation about the greatest lightweight of all time.

UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] should be included in any conversation about the greatest lightweight of all time.

To many, that title is currently held by undefeated former UFC champ [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag], but Sterling sees former champ Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) closing the gap.

“Greatest of all time, the GOAT, what’s the criteria for that?” Sterling asked on his YouTube channel. “Is it just accolades? Because if it’s just accolades, Charles Oliveira has a pretty damn good resume. From title defenses, style points on finishes, been in the game longer.”

Oliveira made quick work of the streaking Beneil Dariush in this past Saturday’s UFC 289 co-main event and now holds finishes over every fighter currently in the UFC’s top-five lightweight rankings. His 20 UFC finishes is also the record for most stoppage wins in company history.

Based on his resume and his past 11-fight winning streak, which was snapped by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, Sterling makes a case for “Do Bronx.”

“So for me, I think he has to be within that conversation,” Sterling added. “You have to include Charles Oliveira in that against Khabib. The next best thing right now seems like it’s Makhachev closing in. I’m really looking at title defenses and then winning streak, as well.

“Not like your entire career, I’m talking like in the UFC. Getting those type of win streaks in the UFC, it’s very difficult to do. And seeing someone bounce back from an ‘L’ the way that Oliveira has done time and time again in his career, there’s something to be said about that.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.

Timur Khizriev: Dagestan-Dublin rivalry doesn’t exist outside Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor was volatile, but Timur Khizriev said the hate stopped with them.

CHICAGO – [autotag]Timur Khizriev[/autotag] will fight an Irishman Friday at Bellator 297, but there’s nothing but respect.

Though one of the most volatile rivalries in MMA history, [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag], was between a Dagestani and Irishman, Khizriev (12-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) thinks the bad feelings are limited to those individuals.

“To be honest, you’ve caught me off guard. I hadn’t even thought of such a thing that Dagestan vs. Ireland. I think it’s just a coincidence. Obviously with Conor and Khabib, those are big names. For me, it doesn’t really matter. I know they have a lot of great fighters in Ireland, but I don’t see it as a rivalry necessarily.”

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Khizriev, 27, takes on former UFC fighter [autotag]Richie Smullen[/autotag] (10-2-1 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) in a preliminary featherweight bout at Winstar Arena. It’s all respect.

“I have nothing against this opponent,” Khizriev said. “I’ve checked him. He’s pretty good. I pretty much prepare myself every time the same way, no matter who the opponent is. Man, I just believe God’s will. Whatever is going to be is going to be.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 297.

Javier Mendez clarifies that Khabib Nurmagomedov still coaches, just won’t corner fighters

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov is still heavily involved in his teammates’ training camps.

American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez says [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is still heavily involved in his teammates’ training camps.

In January, it was hinted that Nurmagomedov would be stepping away from coaching to spend more time with his family. Alongside Mendez, “The Eagle” was named MMA Junkie’s 2022 Coach of the Year after his team went 19-2 – including Islam Makhachev’s UFC title win and Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator title win.

Nurmagomedov was recently spotted training at AKA, and Mendez clarified that he’s still coaching but won’t be making trips to corner any fighters.

“Well, it’s gonna be me for sure. I’m pretty sure Khabib won’t be in the corner. He stated that,” Mendez told The Schmo of cornering Abubakar Nurmagomedov this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 45. “One thing people don’t understand, he never said he wouldn’t coach people. He said he’s not going to be in the corner and travel to fight camps because he’s spending time with his family, never said he wouldn’t come and visit here and there and train the guys. He’s never said none of that.

“He’s still holding true to everything he’s said, and he never said never either. I’m hoping at some point he can come back and help me because him being in the corner is such a huge motivator for the guys and me, because then my job’s easier, because I hardly have to worry about anything. I just sit in the backseat and let him drive, because he’s a hell of a driver.”

Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Abubakar (17-3-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), returns to action Saturday when he meets Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (23-7 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 45 main card opener at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 45.

16 UFC fighters past and present who run their own MMA promotions

Check out which UFC fighters of the past and present currently run their own promotions.

In the fight game, fighters fight and promoters largely promote. It’s a nearly exclusive rule, but there are some exceptions.

While promoters never fight, occasionally a fighter will promote.

An increasing trend in recent years, more and more combat sports athletes are testing out the waters of running their own promotions. Oftentimes, it’s a fighter who has some name recognition, buzz, or influence in the sport. There are exceptions to the rule, however – fighters who have just figured out how to run a regional promotion successfully.

There are the more obvious stars like [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], who have used their big platforms to promote their recent dive into promoting. There are also others who have quietly promoted behind the scenes for years.

Scroll below to see which current and former UFC fighters currently run their own promotions.

Note: Promotions that have not held an event since before 2019 were not included in this list – and this list is not necessarily all-inclusive.

Demetrious Johnson plans to seek retirement advice from Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov

Demetrious Johnson will reach out to multiple UFC legends when making his decision about retirement.

[autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag] will reach out to multiple UFC legends when making his decision about retirement.

Johnson (25-4-1) retained his flyweight title against Adriano Moraes this past Friday in their trilogy rubber match which headlined ONE Fight Night 10 at 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo., right outside Denver.

After the fight, Johnson asked the crowd if they wanted to see him fight again, and received a loud cheer in response. The 36-year-old said he’d have to speak to his wife first before making the decision, and also plans on consulting the likes of [autotag]Georges St-Pierre[/autotag] and [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] on what went behind their decision to walk away.

“Taking to my peers, talking to Urijah Faber, I’m going to reach out to (Georges St-Pierre), I’m going to reach out to Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Johnson said at the ONE Fight Night 10 post-fight press conference. “I’m going to talk to these guys. I’m like, ‘Why did you guys stop?’

“Those guys could have kept on fighting, and there comes a point in time – I’m 36-years-old, and do I just keep on doing this and giving other athletes the opportunity to beat me and add to their legacy? There’s a lot of stuff I’ve got muster up.”

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Johnson, who defended his UFC flyweight title a record 11 consecutive times, explains that his decision to continue fighting will purely stem from how he’s feeling.

“The reason why I have these feelings, week four and week five was probably the hardest time in all my training camp,” Johnson said. “Like, back in the day when I would fight my world title fights, I remember when I was getting ready to fight Wilson Reis, I would have nightmares that Wilson Reis would get my back. I didn’t have nightmares when I was getting ready to fight Adriano. I was having nightmares about what am I do after I’m done fighting.

“And so I like to listen to my feelings and try to understand like, ‘OK, why am I having nightmares about what am I gonna do after fighting when I have an opponent to train for?’ So that’s where all these feelings harbor from. And I was like, ‘This might be my last fight,’ and just take a step back as an athlete, and look at what am I gonna do after fighting. Because I can keep on fighting. I mean, that’s true, but it takes a lot of energy away from other projects that can take care of me after I’m done fighting. So that’s where that comes from.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for ONE Fight Night 10.