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MOSCOW, RUSSIA SEPTEMBER 2, 2021: Mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks at the 2nd New Knowledge educational marathon (forum). The New Knowledge Forum runs from 1 to 3 September 2021 as a new school year begins in Russia. Artyom Geodakyan/TASS (Photo by Artyom GeodakyanTASS via Getty Images)
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA SEPTEMBER 2, 2021: Mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov speaks at the 2nd New Knowledge educational marathon (forum). The New Knowledge Forum runs from 1 to 3 September 2021 as a new school year begins in Russia. Artyom Geodakyan/TASS (Photo by Artyom GeodakyanTASS via Getty Images)
UFC 280 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi was a historic PPV. Former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov coached his teammate Islam Makhachev to capture the vacant lightweight belt by submitting Charles Oliveira. However, Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Khamzat Chimaev‘s altercation outside the cage grabbed the headlines.
During Islam Makhachev’s octagon interview following his win, Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov confronted each other outside the cage. The pair shook hands and engaged in a brief conversation before Chimaev shoved Nurmagomedov. Cage-side security intervened and held the pair back to avoid the situation escalating. A day after the incident, Khabib Nurmagomedov released a video clearing the air on the matter.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team resolved issues with Khamzat Chimaev
In the video, Khabib Nurmagomedov explained the decision of all parties involved to drop the issue and move forward like brothers. Khamzat Chimaev, Islam Makhachev, and Abubakar Nurmagomedov were among those present in the short clip. ‘The Eagle’ started off by saying that the incident at UFC 280 did not reflect well on himself, his cousin, and Chimaev.
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – AUGUST 14, 2020: UFC Lightweight Champion, Russian mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov gives a press conference at the StandArt Moscow Hotel. Mikhail Metzel/TASS (Photo by Mikhail MetzelTASS via Getty Images)
“To tell the truth, we’re tired of this nonsense!,” said Nurmagomedov. “Here we are, gathered together as brothers; talked to each other, and we apologized to each other and hugged. Inshallah. I hope that in the future that we will only gather for good reasons and fight for good reasons.”
‘The Eagle’ continued and wished that they hoped to celebrate Chimaev’s title win in the future. “Islam won, yes, the belt at first. The next one is very close. It’s gonna be Khamzat. And let us all get together so that when Khamzat wins the belt, it’s not for the showing off, not for this conversation, that we are going to celebrate. We will celebrate for our new champion, Inshallah.”
Nurmagomedov ended his brief speech, wishing that their unfortunate moment does not happen to anyone again. It was Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov who took the initiative and brokered peace between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov.
Will ‘coach Khabib’ train ‘Borz’?
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With the newfound friendship between team Nurmagomedov and Chimaev, could fans see Chimaev train with them? ‘Borz’ currently sits at #3 in the UFC welterweight rankings. His last win came against Kevin Holland at UFC 279. Chimaev has dominated in all his wins. However, his fight against Gilbert Burns exposed a lot of faults in his armor. ‘The Wolf’ took a lot of damage despite getting a narrow win.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 30: Khamzat Chimaev of Sweden reacts after his victory over Li Jingliang of China in a welterweight fight during the UFC 267 event at Etihad Arena on October 30, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Khabib Nurmagomedov is proving to be a great coach. His success with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Belal Muhammad, and Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 proved just that. If he trains Chimaev, then the latter will truly become a force not to be trifled with.
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Watch This Story– What does Joe Rogan think of Khamzat Chimaev?
There are no indications of that happening right now. But one can be hopeful of a legendary team-up involving the two. What are your thoughts on the incident at UFC 280? Would you like to see ‘coach Khabib’ train Chimaev? Let us know in the comments below.