These days, there is an ongoing debate in the MMA community about which of Khabib’s camp fighters from Dagestan is better in terms of technique and skills. Recent comparisons have been made by various MMA analysts between Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Eagle’s close friend Islam Makhachev, all of whom are top contenders in their respective divisions. The verdicts vary, but it was recently clarified by Nurmagomedov’s team head coach Javier Mandez, who expressed his support for Usman Nurmagomedov in a recent interview with a reputed MMA outlet.

In 2020, after successfully defending his title for the third time against Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov bid farewell to his shining career with a remarkable 29-0 record and shifted to full-time coaching alongside his head coach, Javier Mandez. They trained his cousin and friends like Islam Makhachev. Recently, Mandez emphasized this on his podcast. When asked by a guest about what it’s like to be trained by Khabib, he said, “You know Khabib and training. Have you seen him growing? You watch him and think, ‘Uh oh, he’ s leveling up. He’s leveling up?”

Moreover, Coach Mandez, without any hesitation, shared his insights on Usman Nurmagomedov’s growth from his early days to becoming the Bellator lightweight champion. He said, “I’ve  seen him evolve from when Khabib used to dominate back in 2019, when Khabib was prepping for a fight in Dubai, to now, five years later. He’s whole different level. He’s stronger, sharper, and more skilled.”

However, Joe Rogan has a different perspective from Coach Mendez. According to Rogan, it’s not Usman Nurmagomedov or ‘Eagle’ but rather Umar Nurmagomedov who stands out. Let’s find out the reason behind his choice by reading on.

Joe Rogan pointed out the difference between Khabib and Umar Nurmagomedov

In 2020, when Khabib Nurmagomedov retired, many believed no one could match his legacy. However, just a year later, ‘Eagle’ made a significant impact with his UFC debut, despite already holding a 12-fight winning streak from other promotions. With his debut fight, he demonstrated to the UFC and Dana White that he is the next generation Nurmagomedov family. He is now on a 6-fight winning streak inside the promotion, with his latest victory against Cody Sandhagen at UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia. Nurmagomedov’s performance not only secured a win but also shook up the division.

Emphasizing these performances, Nurmagomedov caught the attention of UFC commentator and podcaster, who praised ‘Eagle’s’ talent. Rogan said, “The difference between Umar and Khabib is Umar’s stand-up is so dynamic. His kicking is so dynamic, it’s so dangerous and quick. He throws head kicks off the front leg with speed; he throws things that are lighting-fast.”

What are your thoughts on Coach Javier Mendez’s words? Do you really think that Usman Nurmagomedov, with his skills, will continue the legacy of his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.