(Video) Khabib Nurmagomedov Snatches Title From Jake Paul to Wrap Around Victorious Cousin

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov couldn't control his excitement after Usman Nurmagomedov's electric win at PFL New York.

(Video) Khabib Nurmagomedov Snatches Title From Jake Paul to Wrap Around Victorious Cousin

Khabib Nurmagomedov snatches belt from Jake Paul (via X)

Khabib Nurmagomedov has embraced coaching by following the path established by his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. The UFC Hall of Famer often shows genuine emotion after his teammates secure major victories inside the cage.

That passion resurfaced at PFL New York as cousin Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Archie Colgan to retain the PFL lightweight title in his final contracted fight. With that, his cousin kept his undefeated record intact and is now 22-0.

Nurmagomedov controlled the opening exchanges with sharp kicks before landing a question mark kick on Colgan. The champion followed with a right uppercut that dropped Colgan before finishing with ground strikes. The referee waved off the contest in the opening round as the Dagestani star retained the PFL lightweight title.

After the stoppage, Khabib embraced his cousin before joining the official announcement inside the cage. As referee Keith Peterson declared the result, Jake Paul stepped forward carrying the PFL lightweight title belt. Khabib hilariously took the belt from Paul and placed it over Usman’s shoulder, capping the celebration.

Wrapping championship belts around his teammates has become a tradition for Khabib. At UFC 280, he received Dana White‘s permission to place the UFC lightweight belt around Islam Makhachev‘s waist after his win over Charles Oliveira. The moment with Usman continued that tradition after another title victory.

Paul’s involvement carried added significance after Most Valuable Promotions recently completed its merger with the PFL. The PFL New York event marked the first event since the partnership officially came into effect between the two organizations.

The merger is expected to expand the promotion’s reach by combining the PFL’s roster with MVP’s promotional platform. Paul has pursued a meeting with Khabib long before their brief exchange inside the PFL cage.

‘The Problem Child’ previously called for an MMA fight with the former UFC lightweight champion and expressed interest in competing under the Eagle FC banner. Khabib rejected the matchup and has remained focused on coaching since retiring.

Interestingly, Paul recently discussed his potential MMA future during a conversation with US President Donald Trump. When the YouTuber-turned-boxer asked about a potential opponent, Trump suggested the Dagstani legend. The exchange saw Paul nervously laugh while discussing the possibility of facing the former UFC lightweight champion.

Usman Nurmagomedov and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s relationship remains a strong example of their bond in MMA. Khabib has always held his cousin in high regard and supported his career.

The exchange with Jake Paul at PFL New York further showed the ex-UFC fighter’s pride in the PFL lightweight champion’s achievements.

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Jake Paul hilariously talks about the 2-3 years meme with Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dominance in the UFC helped open the door for fighters from the Caucasus region. Fighters from Dagestan have continued showcasing their skills through wrestling, grappling, and striking. Alongside elite grapplers, competitors like Magomed Ankalaev and Sharaputdin Magomedov have displayed the region’s striking talent.

The “2-3 years Dagestan” meme originated from Islam Makhachev’s 2024 interview with Daniel Cormier. During the conversation, Makhachev discussed developing wrestling skills and suggested sending Cormier’s son to Dagestan for elite training. The phrase later went viral online through memes and videos.

Jake Paul and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Jake Paul and Khabib Nurmagomedov (via Bloody Elbow)

Paul entered the Nurmagomedov camp backstage at PFL New York and met with Khabib before the event. During their interaction, Paul joked about spending two years training in Dagestan. The UFC legend hilariously corrected him, suggesting that two to three years would be the optimal period for his development.

The “2-3 years Dagestan” meme has grown beyond social media and created a positive impact around the region. Makhachev has spoken about how it boosted tourism and helped local communities.

Cormier also sent children from his wrestling academy to Dagestan for training, highlighting the region’s reputation for developing fighters.

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