Just like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev grew up under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, finding success in his Sambo career, all the way to his transition to mixed martial arts. Abdulmanap’s contribution to the field of combat sports will remain unparalleled for years to come, and with his son Khabib Nurmagomedov trying to fill in on his shoes for the young fighters including Islam Makhachev, the legacy will continue to be.
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Ahead of the biggest fight of Makhachev’s career in the form of a lightweight title bout against Charles Oliveira, the Dagestani fighter revealed what made Abdulmanap different from other people.
“Abdulmanap, you know, this is not like just coach. Coach, when he come to the gym, he do something for you, help you with training. But this man, he always take care about his kids because… Dagestan is not like a regular city, it’s not like Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you have some problem always. Problem outside, in the street or somewhere.”
“But Abdulmanap always fix all problems. He just said, ‘okay guys, you just have to training hard, and other things what you have, you just told me and that’s it, I am gonna fix your all problems. That’s why from our gym, not everybody is like Champion but who training with Abdulmanap, now who live in the street are good people.” Makhachev said.
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Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is a pioneer of the sport. The legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time shall forever be interlinked with his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, whose training and methods were next to none.
The relationship between Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev is truly special
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov always believed in Islam Makhachev and saw him cruising through the division just like his son Khabib. While he may not be present here right now, it’s safe to say Makhachev’s success inside the Octagon and the fact that he is currently on a ten fight win-streak, on his way to fight for the lightweight gold would have certainly brought a smile to his face.
Legacy of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov 🥇🏆 pic.twitter.com/xENivYl50I
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) November 13, 2021
Makhachev credits his success to Abdulmanap and believes it was his hard work and constant effort to make him better by pushing him to the limits that he has been able to achieve the milestones he has achieved in his mixed martial arts career. Watch this interview with BT Sports where Islam Makhachev breaks down his relationship with Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.