Training with Khabib Nurmagomedov is indeed every single fight fan’s wish. Even professional fighters have dreamed of training with the former undefeated lightweight champion. And the Tajik fighter, Muhammad Naimov got the golden ticket to train with ‘The Eagle’. It was 2016 when Naimov met Nurmagomedov for the first time. It was an interaction where they didn’t really talk but clicked a photograph together. But thanks to Firdaws Khalim, a friend of Naimov and a manager at Dominance MMA Management, ‘Hillman’ got the chance to train with ‘The Eagle’. 

It was back when Naimov was getting ready to make his debut in the Octagon in 2023. Prior to training with Nurmagomedov, Naimov used to train well till his heart rate was high, but 10 days before the fight, he used to train till he sweats. But things changed when he got in the same gym as Nurmagomedov.

The time when Muhammad Naimov trained with Khabib Nurmagomedov

Naimov said, “We went, trained with Khabib in Cobrinha Gym I believe. And then the atmosphere what he bring to that gym, it was like really different. And I noticed that he know I am take this fight in short notice, and he didn’t talk anything about the fight. He didn’t put pressure on my shoulder. He said, ‘How are you feeling? The weight is good? Good, good. That’s it, bro. Don’t think a lot. Don’t put pressure on your shoulder. Just go do your work, that’s it.’ And I said, ‘Wow. This is really good, you know. I’m not feeling I’m fighting short notice. I feel like I have full camp.’”

Of course, ‘Hillman’ started his wrestling training, but his mind was fixed on observing ‘The Eagle’. After all, he wanted to get hold of some of his techniques. Naimov had trained with high-level fighters like Cory Sandhagen and Justin Gaethje. But training with Khabib Nurmagomedov was a different experience, altogether. And he finally got to know what fighting someone who had won over 29 people actually felt like. 

He recounted, “He start like very slow. He didn’t do anything. And then I put him in the wall. I feel like he’s big. His body is big, you know. I feel like strong, big, and then he just took me down very easy and he hold me. You know what’s really interesting? I know what he want to do with me. I’m giving him mount, he gonna go for armbar, like first for armbar, turn to triangle. I know all his stuff and it’s really funny how he doing that in very high level. I said, ‘Wow. I understand what like 29 people before me feels.’” 

He admitted that it was nothing but good energy that enveloped the gym at that moment. But was he able to use that in his fight that week? Let’s take a look at Naimov’s performance at UFC on ABC 6, shall we?

How has Muhammad Naimov fared in the UFC?

Naimov debuted in the UFC in 2023 against Jamie Mullarkey and defeated him with a KO. It was the bout that he tackled right after training with Nurmagomedov. The bout got him the Performance of the Night bonus, as his finishing right hook impressed the entire fighting realm. His next fight was against Nathaniel Wood who lost via a unanimous decision. And after that, Naimov fought Erik Silva and sent him off with a leg injury in the first round. 

Well, Naimov’s last fight in the UFC was against Felipe Lima, and it wasn’t exactly something that he can be proud of. No doubt, the Tajik featherweight gave a tough competition to Lima. But it was the Brazilian who secured a win with a rear naked choke in the 3rd round. Even though ‘Hillman’ trained with Nurmagomedov, he couldn’t defend himself against Jungle Boy’s grip. Also, it was the Tajik’s first-ever loss in the UFC. 

And now, with 3 wins and 1 defeat in the UFC, Naimov is all set to lock horns with Kaan Ofii at UFC Fight Night 250. Needless to say, the fight in Riyadh would be nothing short of interesting, as ‘Hillman’ would get one more chance to show what he learned from Nurmagomedov. 

What are your thoughts on Naimov’s training with Nurmagomedov? Do you also believe that drilling the same technique multiple times is the path to victory? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.