“It’s in their religion,” Khabib Nurmagomedov’s surprising move to send dogs out of house after settling in leaves coach in laughter
AKA coach Javier Mendez once recalled incident of sternly-religious Khabib Nurmagomedov escorting out owner's dogs, at his new establishment.
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AKA coach Javier Mendez shares a story about a then-struggling and rising star, Khabib Nurmagomedov (Source: Twitter)
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a name that is undoubtedly and considerably one of the biggest in the combat sports spectrum. American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) coach and Nurmagomedov’s trainer Javier Mendez has often commended the gravitas the fighter still holds.
Being a fighter of far-off origin, Khabib Nurmagomedov did not always have it easy. He started from humble beginnings. He was born into the autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR, in Dagestan. Nurmagomedov had started training under his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, at an early age, who himself was a legendary combatant in the Soviet army. Speaking about it at the “Freeman Welterweight” podcast, Mendez had said:
The biggest problem is San Jose, California, because of Silicon Valley, our area is super expensive...Most people can't afford it; Khabib had a heck of a time himself coming there. I had asked Carolyn if she can help me with Khabib and the team. And she said yes, no problem. She has this inside dogs - little dogs, right? Well, the first thing Khabib did is - he took the little dogs and put them outside. The are not outside dogs you know? It's in their religion...they are not allowed to be inside...
With more success in-ring the fighter slowly grew into money. But time and again, Nurmagomedov has mentioned not wanting to fight for money, but legacy instead. MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz had once revealed about his generosity.
Speaking on the “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast, along with Henry Cejudo, he divulged that Nurmagomedov had once turned down $100 million to face Floyd Mayweather.
Islam Makhachev, who the fighter currently trains, had also said the same. The Dagestani had paid up all expenses, ahead of Makhachev’s fight against Thiago Moises. Nurmagomedov said he believes that money doesn’t change people, but reveals who they are in an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto. His upholding his religious beliefs says the same.
Javier Mendez discloses funny interaction with Khabib Nurmagomedov, due to language barrier
For more than eight years, Javier Mendez has trained Khabib Nurmagomedov. The founder of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) has a strong bond with the Dagestani and his fellow peers.
The fighter has retired from pro-MMA since 2021, thus vacating his lightweight title. Afterwards, he purchased the Russian combative promotion Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC). It was later renamed Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC).
Nurmagomedov served as trainer for Islam Makhachev’s corner against Alexander Volkanovski, at UFC 284 and 294. But the Dagestani did not always have a stronghold and aptitude over all things fighting, early on. In an interview with Helen Yee Sports, Mendez recalled one such incident, saying:
He's been telling me things lately how we don't understand each other. It started when we first started training...He learned a little bit better English and he says to me, 'Coach, I have to explain. When refers come, I don't understand. You say 'relax', and I always think 'go harder'. So, I go crazy and try to kill people.
Nurmagomedov now serves as the official coach and advisor at AKA, along with Mendez. He has since trained the likes of Makhachev, Zubaira Tukhugov, Tagir Ulanbekov, Islam Mamedov (Bellator), Gadzhi Rabadanov (Bellator), Belal Muhammad, and others.
In case you missed it:
- WATCH: Khabib Nurmagomedov once forfeited undefeated record to ‘spiciest pepper’ challenge from legendary Cain Velasquez
- “You have no teeth!” MMA coach reveals story of Khabib Nurmagomedov getting YELLED at for indiscipline action in gym
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Ajinkya Aswale
(1115 Articles Published)