“Used to be mopping the mats,” Nate Diaz team insider reveals stunning story of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev
Outside the scope of fighting, undefeated phenom, Khabib Nurmagomedov maintains a very modest disposition.
Former Strikeforce champion tattles about Khabib Nurmagomedov's humbleness (Source: Twitter/Pinteres)
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a name synonymous with the essence of being undefeated in the combat sports industry. Barring rare and hilarious altercations, Khabib is an absolute ace in the sport. The 29-0 lightweight in combat sports is unassailable in his fight statistics and fandom. Even away from active participation, his illustrious career earns him much appreciation and accolades. But it’s his humbleness that earns him even more; as per peer Jake Shields.
Jake Shields, the former Strikeforce champion, trains with brothers, Nate and Nick Diaz. Time and again, he has lauded them as the biggest names in UFC history. He has even been supportive of Nick Diaz amidst his slow progressions. This time around though, it’s Khabib that earns his unfiltered praise. Taking to X, Shields recently wrote:
When I would train with Kahabib in San Jose he would often be the guy mopping the mats( this is usually down my rookies) This was right before he own the title but I’m Pretty sure I also saw him moping in Vegas after he was already a champion...This sets a great example to his team that he’s not above them.Jake Shields via X
Nurmagomedov’s humble demeanor is something a lot have weighed upon. Even AKA coach, Javier Mendez has commended it a few times. Now comes Shields into the fold. Shields trained with Muay Thai Champions, Jongsanan Fairtex and Alex Gong at Fairtex Combat Academy, San Jose. Where he met Khbaib in all probability, as his tweet would suggest. This was before moving on to the affiliate Fairtex-Gracie Fight Academy.
Khabib’s down-to-earth mannerisms and titbits have won over many fans over the years. He once recently won over the gaming community with his shared interest in franchises like ‘Red Alert’ and ‘Tekken’. It’s the little things that make him larger than life, which Shields has commented on more than once.
Jake Shields talks to Robert Whittaker about training Khabib Nurmagomedov
Jake Shields is a Division II All-American and competed at the NCWA national championships. He also happens to be the pioneer behind the ‘American Jiu-Jitsu’; a no-GI grappling combative method he coined. His publication ‘The American Jiu Jitsu Guillotine System‘ is widely famous amongst MMA pundits and enthusiasts.
But like any other peer, the Strikeforce middleweight did stay on guard about one name in the promotion – Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The fighter once appeared alongside 185lber Robert Whittaker, on the ‘The Fair One‘ Podcast (Grange TV). He weighed in on training with Khabib. Shields was impressed with Khabib’s wrestling and noted there was very little an opponent could do to deter him. As such, he pointed out that there were little to no holes in Khabib’s ground game.
At 29-0 MMA and 13-0 UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov is a veteran in combat Sambo, having begun at an early age. As a 155lber, Khabib has had an 8-0 TKO and 11-0 submissions stat; both impressive feats on their own. While in the earliest days, he wasn’t much of a threat, he still was ‘phenomenal‘, which Shields throws shade on.
His particular skills, did, however, improve in legacy. He subsequently received Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement, and ESPY Awards. His round 2 submission at UFC 254, at his last outing, won him an ESPY Award for best MMA fighter.
In case you missed it:
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Ajinkya Aswale
(1115 Articles Published)