Khabib Nurmagomedov – Page 7 – Syndication Server

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.

Javier Mendez: Khabib was worried about Alexander Volkanovski giving Islam Makhachev trouble

Khabib Nurmagomedov correctly predicted that Alexander Volkanovski would be a tough out for Islam Makhachev.

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] correctly predicted that [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] was going to be a stern test for [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag].

According to Javier Mendez, Nurmagomedov expressed concern about the matchup, which the American Kickboxing Academy coach initially dismissed. But as Nurmagomedov thought, Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) ended up taking lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) to the brink in their title fight, which headlined UFC 284 in February, but ultimately he fell short by unanimous decision.

“Khabib would call me up and Khabib would say, ‘Coach, I’m really worried about this fight. Volkanovski is really, really tough. I’m concerned for Islam on this one a little bit,'” Mendez said on the “Jibber with Jaber” podcast. “I’m like, ‘I’m not. We’re gonna win this fight. I don’t know how easy and how hard, but we’re gonna win this fight. So, I know you’re worried, Khabib, but I’m not worried.’ …

“Fast forward to the fight, it was everything Khabib said it was going to be. Super, super tough fight.”

Mendez praised Volkanovski for his strong fifth round, where he dropped Makhachev and ended the fight in top position. But Mendez thinks Makhachev won the other four rounds – despite them being close.

“For me, Alex won that fifth round,” Mendez said. “The last minute, minute-and-a-half of that fifth round. To me, I only gave him that round. But it was devastating. In some people’s eyes, that was, ‘Oh, he did so fantastic, he won the fight.’ The other rounds were closer, but Islam won. To me, Islam won 4-1. If you say 3-2, OK, 3-2.”

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One judge awarded Makhachev the first four rounds as Mendez scored it, whereas the other two judges scored it 3-2 for Makhachev. All three judges awarded Volkanovski Round 5.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.

Daniel Cormier praises Conor McGregor for elevating Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier to stardom

Daniel Cormier says Khabib is a “megastar” and Dustin Poirier hit a “level of stardom he never could’ve imagined” all because of Conor McGregor.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] lauds [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] for turning his rivals into stars.

As the 10-year anniversary of McGregor’s UFC debut approaches, Cormier reflected on what “The Notorious” has done in the sport, pointing to the record-setting numbers he’s drawn as a star.

But Cormier also acknowledged the positive impact McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has had on his opposition – mainly after suffering losses to [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag].

“He has elevated two of my best friends,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.” “Two of the guys that I love, that I appreciate in this sport more than anyone. He has elevated Khabib to a megastar, and he has elevated Dustin Poirier to a level of stardom that Dustin never could’ve imagined getting before. So not only does he help himself, he helps the guys that he shares the octagon with – especially the ones that can beat him.”

Cormier’s favorite McGregor moment was his 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in December 2015, which won him the featherweight title. It was that moment that Cormier thinks changed McGregor’s life.

“In the Aldo fight, for all we knew about Jose Aldo, the greatness, how annoyed he was with Conor McGregor – we thought he was going to punish the brash Irishman,” Cormier said. “And then he knocked him out in 14 (13) seconds and the world was turned on its’ axis, and the world really became his in that night. On that night, it was Conor McGregor’s world.”

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McGregor is expected to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon later in the year when he takes on Michael Chandler, who he recently spent eight weeks with coaching the “Ultimate Fighter 31.”

Colby Covington: Khabib Nurmagomedov avoided welterweight because of me

“I would’ve walked him down,” Colby Covington said if he’d ever gotten the chance to fight UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] thinks UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] purposely avoided moving up to welterweight.

Nurmagomedov had a perfect MMA career, going unbeaten in 29 fights with three lightweight title defenses against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. One thing “The Eagle” never attempted was chasing after a second UFC title, but Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) believes he wouldn’t have been able to handle the gritty grappling style of welterweights such as himself if he did.

“He never came to 170, because the man’s here,” Covington told My MMA News. “He doesn’t wanna fight the man. He knew the man that had a great style for him, the guy that was way more well rounded, could stuff his takedowns, being in his face and punch, and putting volume on him, and doesn’t break under cardio. Like, that’s what I do best. I would’ve walked him down. So, him and Makhachev need to shut their f*cking mouths. They’re all talk and no walk like myself.”

After welterweight champion Leon Edwards retained his title against Kamaru Usman in Saturday’s UFC 286 headliner, UFC president Dana White declared Covington the No. 1 contender. Covington flew to London to weigh in as a backup for the title fight, but his services weren’t needed.

With many fighters vying for a shot at Edwards, lightweight champion and Nurmagomedov’s protege, Makhachev, threw his name in the mix too. But Covington said both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev’s wrestling would be no match for his top-tier American style.

“It’s been right time, right place,” Covington said. “They’ve been able to fight guys that didn’t have wrestling backgrounds. If they fought a guy that was a USA-level wrestler, like an Olympic-level wrestler, they’re gonna get smoked. It’s not even gonna be competitive. American wrestling is much better, much more revolutionized, and just a better style of wrestling that works in the UFC. These guys have just been able to capitalize. Right time, right place with the right matchups.”

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Jon Jones’ top 5 fighters of all time includes Khabib Nurmagomedov

Ahead of his return at UFC 285, Jon Jones has named his top five fighters of all time. Thoughts on his list?

Ahead of his highly anticipated return to the UFC, [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] has named his top five fighters of all time.

Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) returns from a more than three-year layoff when he takes on Ciryl Gane (10-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) for the vacant heavyweight title in the UFC 285 headliner on March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Former light heavyweight champ Jones is widely considered as one of the greatest fighters of all time and thinks becoming a UFC champ-champ would solidify him as No. 1 all time.

Joining him on his list are four other fighters. Scroll below to see Jones’ top five from his interview with RMC France.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

Jon Jones heaps praise on fellow ex-UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘I appreciate his existence’

Former UFC light heavyweight champ and upcoming heavyweight title challenger Jon Jones is a fan of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s character.

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] is a fan of [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s character.

Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) included Nurmagomedov in his top five all-time best fighters, but praised him beyond his fighting ability.

The former light heavyweight king spoke highly of Nurmagomedov as a person, as well as his actions outside of the octagon.

“I love what Khabib represents,” Jones told RMC France. “We’ve had our differences in the past. I’ve made some quotes about him. But there’s never really been a real beef. I love the way he carries himself as a Muslim. I love the way he represents his country. I love the businessman that he is. He just seems like a stand-up guy. He gives back to others. He’s a stand-up guy. He’s an admirable man. I appreciate his existence.”

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It appears Jones has changed his tune over the years. The differences Jones is referring to is when he dismissed the notion the undefeated Nurmagomedov is the greatest of all time. Jones said Nurmagomedov only started fighting elite-level competition late in his career. Before he retired in October 2020, Nurmagomedov’s final three wins came with finishes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in title fights.

Jones returns from a layoff of more than three years when he meets Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title in the UFC 285 headliner March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. If victorious, “Bones” thinks that will cement him as the greatest fighter of all time.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

Khabib remains in Islam Makhachev’s corner at UFC 284 – if only figuratively

Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t physically with Islam Makhachev this week, but he’s there with him in spirit, and also electronically.

PERTH, Australia – [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] isn’t physically with [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] in the land Down Under this week, but he’s there with him in spirit, and also electronically.

Just because UFC Hall of Famer Nurmagomedov recently announced he was stepping away from coaching, that doesn’t mean he’s completely detached from his fighters.

“He still help me. He just stop his traveling, and that’s it,” Makhachev told reporters during UFC 284 media day. “But every morning he send me message, check my weight, ask me how I’m training, what I did. We’re always on the phone.”

Nurmagomedov retired from competition undefeated after he beat Justin Gaethje to retain the lightweight title in October 2020. But it maybe hadn’t felt like much of a retirement for Nurmagomedov given how involved in MMA he remained as the face of Eagle FC and coaching his star pupils such as Makhachev and Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov especially has found great success as a coach, winning MMA Junkie’s 2022 Co-Coach of the Year award along with Javier Mendez. But the reality is that Makhachev is moving forward without Nurmagomedov completely by his side, starting with the biggest fight of his career Saturday as he attempts to make his first title defense against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC 284 headliner at RAC Arena.

Makhachev, who’s riding an 11-fight winning streak, understands where Nurmagomedov is coming from and is at peace with his decision.

“He said, ‘Hey, guys, when I travel with you, all the media, all the stuff focus on me. And, like, not just this one, I leave from the camp, from the traveling, because you have to make your legacy,'” Makhachev said. “Of course when Khabib is my corner, it means a lot to me, because inside fight he give me good advice always. But I understand his decision, because when I retire I want to stay with family – with my kids, mother, father. I want to give them some time.

“How many months did (Khabib) travel in 2022? He say he travel 10 months. ‘But I told my mother when I retired I’m gonna stay home with kids, with family.’ But he was still traveling.”

That’s not the case this week, and for the first time we’ll find out how that affects Makhachev.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.

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