Khabib Nurmagomedov Hints at Deep Rivalry Between His Cousin and Champion Petr Yan

Khabib Nurmagomedov talks about Umar Nurmagomedov and Petr Yan as the UFC bantamweight championship race gets interesting. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov Hints at Deep Rivalry Between His Cousin and Champion Petr Yan

Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Petr Yan and Umar Nurmagomedov share a deep rivalry (via X)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The UFC bantamweight division saw a massive change last month after Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili to become the new champion. The Russian dominated the fight with his striking and takedown defense, pushing the former champion on his backfoot. Now, fans are excited about what’s next for Yan, and it seems like Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protege, Umar Nurmagomedov, could be next in line. 

This Saturday in the preliminary card of UFC 324, Umar Nurmagomedov will take on Deiveson Figueiredo in a three-round bantamweight clash. The fighter wants to secure a dominant performance and potentially get a title shot against Petr Yan, despite shared Russian nationality. 

As expected, many fans questioned the motivation, believing national ties might soften the rivalry and result in a lackluster fight. However, according to Khabib Nurmagomedov, both competitors remain professional rivals first, with no such camaraderie. 

They’re not from the same team. We can see there’s some dislike to each other, and they don’t hide it. They’re openly talking about their opinions about one another. They are at the top of their division. I think this fight makes a lot of sense. The fight will settle who’s better.

Khabib Nurmagomedov spoke about budding Russian rivalry

Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team have historically avoided fighting teammates or close training partners, prioritizing loyalty and shared professional development principles. Belal Muhammad also declined to face Islam Makhachev for years, although circumstances have gradually shifted within new competitive realities. Petr Yan and Khabib’s team lack personal conflict, yet they are not close friends or consistent training partners.

Umar Nurmagomedov was impressed by Yan’s last performance against Merab Dvalishvili and mentioned that the Georgian looked helpless. According to Nurmagomedov, ‘The Machine’ would lose to that version of Yan no matter how many times they fight. Yan respects Khabib’s camp but insists Umar Nurmagomedov must earn his title opportunity through convincing performances again. 

According to the new champion, Umar Nurmagomedov, should have a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili, and the winner should challenge for the title. ‘Young Eagle’ believes he might not get the title shot after winning at UFC 324, but he will definitely be one step closer. He wants to potentially get a main event bout in the summer against Merab Dvalishvili or Sean O’Malley and end 2026 with a title fight. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s old rival compares him with Paddy Pimblett 

Justin Gaethje takes on Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 324 main event with the interim lightweight championship on the line in a highly anticipated showdown. The hype is massive, and the Scouser is the betting favorite due to strong momentum and his proven grappling background. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje (via X)

Pimblett has submitted several veterans in recent fights, showcasing confidence and effective ground control against experienced opposition. However, Gaethje does not seem concerned, believing his striking power and takedown defense can neutralize Pimblett’s grappling threat. In a recent interview, the American compared Pimblett with his rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, highlighting similarities in wrestling.

Obviously his (Pimblett) grappling is world-class. He’s got 20 wins or something with 10 submissions. So, it’s a classic striker vs. grappler but luckily I grew up a wrestler. I’m the hardest guy to ever take down. Khabib Nurmagomedov is the only guy that has ever taken me down. Ultimately, he’s just a human and there’s no way he’s Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

Justin Gaethje via TNT Sports 

Gaethje fought Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 and was choked out, losing his first-ever undisputed lightweight title opportunity. However, he remains highly motivated now, believing this could represent his final realistic chance to capture the undisputed UFC gold.

Pimblett, meanwhile, wants a brutal war, hoping the fight is remembered throughout UFC history by fans. He feels confident about beating Gaethje convincingly and earning a future undisputed title fight against Ilia Topuria in June 2026. 

Also Read: