Cornering at UFC 311 – Now Coaching His Brothers in the Octagon

Khabib Nurmagomedov firmly believes he has a responsibility to share his knowledge. UFC 311, scheduled for January 18, remains clouded in uncertainty regarding its location. Due to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, speculation has arisen about a potential relocation to Las Vegas. Despite the ambiguity, one thing is certain: Khabib will be present to coach. The former lightweight champion is set to corner three fighters on this night. First, he will guide Tagir Ulanbekov in his bout against Clayton Carpenter. Later, he’ll coach both Umar Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev in their respective title fights.

Upholding His Father’s Legacy

Since retiring in 2020, Khabib has dedicated himself to coaching. His father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, is hailed as one of the greatest trainers in any sport. Under Abdulmanap’s guidance, Khabib dominated the UFC lightweight division, culminating in a 29-0 professional record. Today, Khabib continues to honor his father’s legacy by mentoring his Dagestani teammates. For Khabib, this is not a choice but a duty. Speaking with ESPN MMA, he explained his motivation:

“I must. Outside of the sport, I want to spend my time with my children. But at the same time, I must share my knowledge with my brothers. When I was on my way to becoming champion, when I defended my belts, they were with me,” Khabib said.

Khabib and the Dagestani Blueprint

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov was instrumental in building Dagestan’s reputation in MMA. His disciplined approach shaped his fighters into elite athletes, dominating international competition. Having achieved unparalleled success, Khabib now helps others from his homeland follow the same path. UFC 311 represents a pivotal moment for the Nurmagomedov team. As Khabib stated, the secret to their success lies in a singular focus.