Khabib Nurmagomedov is regarded as one of the best fighters in the world by many fans. When the undefeated lightweight announced his retirement from the sport in 2020, the MMA community was in shock. After retirement, ‘The Eagle’ started his own MMA promotion in Russia & transitioned into a coaching role.
After an amazing stint as a coach, Khabib decided to retire from coaching to focus on his family in January 2023. While this decision marked his complete retirement from the world of MMA, a recent post by Islam Makhachev got the attention of the MMA fans.
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The UFC lightweight champion recently shared a picture of him and Khabib with the following caption: “The head coach join the training camp, nothing changed just sweating much more.” This led to speculations of Khabib returning to his coaching role. These speculations were quickly laid to rest by his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov.
In the Bellator 300 post-fight press conference, Usman Nurmagomedov stated that Khabib Nurmagomedov won’t be coaching or cornering Islam Makhachev. “He not gonna be cornering Islam, He just trains brother, Khabib always training. He just comes to Dubai to train & stay with these guys.” said the Bellator lightweight champion.
Usman Nurmagomedov says that Khabib is NOT a cornering Islam, he’s only helping him train. Huge insight into how Khabib truly feels about this fight. Islam himself said Khabib doesn’t trust him to train hard and not underestimate Charles. It seems Khabib knows what I know. pic.twitter.com/URYymzFsCW
— Fonzo (@FonzoMMA) October 9, 2023
“This is very good energy, but how I know he’s not coming back, he’s not the corner, and he’s not coach too.” further adds Usman. According to his statement, Khabib Nurmagomedov will neither be returning to his coaching role nor will he be cornering Islam at UFC 294.
Can Islam Makhachev do it without Khabib Nurmagomedov?
When Islam Makhachev challenged Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship, he had Khabib as his coach & in his corner. Just like he promised, ‘The Eagle’ led his longtime friend to the lightweight championship. After this fight, when Islam faced Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib Nurmagomedov was missing from the building.
As stated earlier, Khabib had retired from his coaching role, and that led to Islam having his toughest victory in the UFC. It was a very close match and many fans believe that Volkanovski had done enough to get his hands raised.
To see volk be comfortable when it came to the wrestling department knowing Islam is a master class on the ground but Islam has met his match so as Alex. Alex has good defense wrestling which surprises me both guys did good looking forward to the rematch!! 🇷🇺 vs 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/9z0L29XPun
— The Diamond 💎 (@OlveriaKing) September 30, 2023
At UFC 294, Oliveira will be coming back with a vengeance. The former lightweight champion is coming off a solid TKO victory over Beneil Dariush. If whatever Usman Nurmagomedov said is correct, then it can be a tough night for Makhachev.
Although Khabib is helping out his friend, he is neither fully coaching him nor will he be cornering him in his biggest rematch. Will this lead to an upset victory for the underdog Oliveira? or Will Islam continue his dominant reign? We will have to wait till October 21, 2023, to get the answer.
