WATCH: Khabib Nurmagomedov coaching Islam Makhachev after announcing total retirement from MMA gets fans excited

Khabib Nurmagomedov seen training Islam Makhachev, Usman Nurmagomedov and others in latest video.

WATCH: Khabib Nurmagomedov coaching Islam Makhachev after announcing total retirement from MMA gets fans excited

Khabib Nurmagomedov trains Islam Makhachev (Image via Imago / X)

Khabib Nurmagomedov took retirement from combat sports in 2021 because of a promise made to his mother. However, the former champion has not abandoned the sport or his teammates. Ever since his retirement, Nurmagomedov has acted as a mentor and trainer for top MMA fighters from his team like Islam Makhachev, Usman Nurmagomedov, Shakhban Alkhasov, and others. His most recent video on the internet is of him training these Dagestani fighters and acting as their mentor.

The video shows Khabib Nurmagomedov guiding his fighters as they spar and grapple each other at the training gym. Although Nurmagomedov himself is not engaging with any of the fighters in direct training, he is right next to them giving them pointers. This video caught the attention of passionate fans on the internet who were excited to see the former UFC lightweight champion on the training floor.

YouTube video

While people would love to see Khabib Nurmagomedov back in the cage, that is likely never happening. Reportedly, Nurmagomedov turned down millions of dollars from the UFC to make his MMA return. So fans are content to see him shape the future Dagestani champions of the sport. For instance, Islam Makhachev followed in his footsteps and is now the reigning UFC lightweight champion with two title defenses under his belt.

FS Video

Khabib retired from MMA completely after his victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. He did not want to continue without his late father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. ‘The Eagle’ sought to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests, retiring from both fighting and coaching.

Justin Gaethje compares Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev

Justin Gaethje was the last fighter to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov before his retirement. He recently addressed the long-drawn debate regarding the better fighter between Nurmagomedov and Makhachev. Gaethje has climbed up the rankings in the division and will ultimately fight Islam Makhachev soon for a shot at the title, given he still holds the status.

Justin Gaethje says Islam Makhachev is not as intimidating as his peer, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Justin Gaethje talks about the difference between Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov (via Imago)

‘The Human Highlight’ recently sat down for an interview with Shak MMA on their YouTube channel. There, he highlighted the difference in the careers between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Justin Gaethje said that he thinks Islam is great and that he would be hard to beat. However, he does not consider Makhachev to be invincible as he has been beaten before. That is the biggest difference Gaethje sees between Nurmagomedov and Makhachev.

The fact that Khabib retired without suffering a single loss while Makhachev lost early in his career was enough for Gaethje to declare Nurmagomedov as the superior fighter. This was similar to what their coach Javier Mendez had said about Khabib being the more dangerous fighter between the two.

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