Dagestani fighters have taken the UFC by storm over the last two decades. One such family that has made quite a name for itself is the Nurmagomedovs. Usman Nurmagomedov and his older cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, have both secured world championships in their respective promotions, and by the looks of it, Usman’s younger brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, seems to be right on track to win another. But what makes the brothers different from other fighters?
Khabib Nurmagomedov has etched his name as one of the best fighters to ever grace the UFC Octagon. His cousins are planning to do the same in their respective ways. What separates them from other fighters is the bond that they share with each other. Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, seems to acknowledge and praise that quality about the brothers.
Coach Javier Mendez’s take on the Nurmagomedov brothers
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Renowned coach Javier Mendez has been an integral part of the Dagestani’s ever since they made their move to the US MMA promotions. Mendez has been in Khabib’s corner ever since he joined the UFC, and he continues to do the same for his younger brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, who fights in the bantamweight division of the UFC.
Mendez has been accepted by the Dagestanis as family and has gotten to experience the bond of brotherhood they share firsthand. Javier Mendez can’t help but praise the Dagestani fighters, as he claims that they are the most respectful and loyal fighters he has ever seen.
He recently posted a reel on his account, which showed how much the brothers cared for one another. The reel’s caption wrote, “This is why these 3 are a family of Champions. The competitive nature and fun they have. I have never seen this as a Coach from any others that I have trained that were family blood-related. @khabib_nurmagomedov @usman_nurmagomedov @umar_nurmagomedov champions in life and sport. My heart and family of (eagles) no chickens allowed @nas_sc #familyfirst”
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Even though Khabib Nurmagomedov stopped cornering fighters in their walkouts, Mendez revealed that Nurmagomedov still helps the fighters train before fights. Ever since ‘The Eagle’ retired from the sport of MMA, he has taken up the mantle of a coach for the team.
‘The Eagle’ wants the current lightweight champion to surpass him
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The manager of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, Ali Abdelaziz, revealed in an interview with TMZ Sports that Khabib Nurmagomedov wishes for the current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, to surpass him.
However, Abdelaziz believes that it is almost impossible for anyone to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov in terms of dominance in the sport. He claims that it is hard to surpass a fighter who has never once bled in 29 fights. But he claims that Umar Nurmagomedov is the closest to ‘The Eagle’ in terms of violence.
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Khabib has had one of the most dominating careers in MMA. However, do you believe that Islam Makhachev will be the person to surpass Nurmagomedov? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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