Imagine stepping into the gym, exhausted and barely able to stand, only to have your coach push you harder than ever before. Sounds intense, right? Well, that’s exactly what Usman Nurmagomedov experiences under the guidance of his cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov—a UFC Hall of Famer and one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history. Since retiring from the octagon, Khabib has seamlessly transitioned into one of the sport’s most successful coaches, following in the footsteps of his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. But here’s where it gets controversial: Khabib’s coaching style is anything but lenient. He once declared, ‘There is no freedom of speech—everybody does what I say if I’m coach,’ and Usman confirms it’s no exaggeration.
Ahead of his title defense at PFL Dubai, Usman shared a glimpse into Khabib’s relentless approach. ‘Even today, I tried to tell him I felt weak,’ Usman told MMA Fighting. ‘He just said, ‘If it’s 50/50, you want to train but you don’t, it means you want to train. Go ahead.’ Before I knew it, we were grappling for nearly 20 minutes—after drills, after training. It’s nearly impossible to explain to him that I’m tired. I’ve stopped trying.’ And this is the part most people miss: Khabib’s unforgiving method isn’t just about physical endurance; it’s about mental fortitude. Usman recalls a moment before Islam Makhachev’s fight when even a hint of frustration would prompt Khabib to snap, ‘Who said that?’ It’s intense, to say the least.
While Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is often credited for setting the foundation of their team’s success, Usman admits Khabib has taken things to a whole new level. ‘His father was more easy, to be honest,’ Usman said with a laugh. ‘100 percent. With his father, it was easy.’ But all jokes aside, Usman believes Khabib’s style, though not for everyone, is a key reason their team has achieved so much. By the time Usman steps into the cage to face Alfie Davis, he knows he’s endured the toughest training camp imaginable. ‘I’m very happy we have Khabib pushing us like that,’ he said. ‘Even if we tell him he’s trying to kill us, this is how we grow. This is how we push our limits. Honestly, I’m so grateful for it.’
Controversial Question: Is Khabib’s coaching style too extreme, or is it the secret sauce behind his team’s unparalleled success? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
