Khabib Nurmagomedov’s no-nonsense approach to training is the stuff of legends. Once it’s time to hit the mats, the boundaries are clear: coaches coach, fighters train, and managers stay in their lane, reiterated the former UFC lightweight champ in a video recently shared by coach Javier Mendez. Khabib’s ‘strict’ directive was for his manager, Ali Abdelaziz. And, while it was all in jest, The Eagle’s delivery, with a poker face, made it feel pretty serious.
Coach Mendez, who trains Islam Makhachev, Umar, and Usman Nurmagomedov, posted a video in which he is seen asking Khabib why he was picking on Abdelaziz. The former UFC champion-turned-coach replied it’s because the manager needs to understand his role in the gym.
“Coach because when he steps on the mat, he has to better be quiet and listen to coaches. We are coaches, he is not a coach. When you step on the mat like a student, shut up and train,” said Khabib.
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Mendez then panned the camera to Abdelaziz and asked him why Khabib was upset with him. Abdelaziz had a very different story to narrate. It turns out Khabib had lost to him at some game and was taking out that frustration on the mat.
Khabib, of course, interjected and asked Abdelaziz to keep quiet, reiterating that only coaches talk on the mat.
The playful vibe in this exchange was evident by the hint of a smile on Khabib’s face as well as the general mood in the training hall. However, there is no denying how strict things are in the Team Khabib camp.
Makhachev, one of Khabib’s most accomplished pupils, has often talked about how much he makes them work. The UFC lightweight champion’s ‘Try, try, try’ video has gone viral since it was first posted on social media in December.
In it, Islam was seen asking Khabib’s friend and former UFC champion Daniel Cormier to show up at their camp and try to control Khabib.
Islam Makhachev asked Daniel Cormier to come to the camp to help control Khabib, because he is pushing them too hard in training.
Islam: “Maybe you can come join us and control him a little bit because he doesn’t listen to Javier.”
DC: “He is just a psychopath nobody can… pic.twitter.com/kOl7UOR2TS
— MMA.PROS.PICK (@MMAPROSPICK) December 17, 2024
Though jokes have been made about it, Islam’s words illustrate Khabib’s uncompromising ways when it comes to training. And the strict directives are not just confined to practice. Khabib is also particular about how his teammates or pupils look.
Khabib’s pupils will have to keep a particular hairstyle
Yes, Khabib’s gym also has a strict haircut policy. Admittedly, he didn’t start it. But it has to be adhered to. Otherwise, the wrestlers get hit with canes.
A video of the strict enforcement went viral some time ago. Although it wasn’t Khabib doing the inspecting and punishing, it was brutal, to say the least.
It is debatable whether this is taking it too far. However, let us not forget that Khabib himself maintained the same haircut right through his undefeated career. Other fighters from the gym, such as Islam and Usman, are already on the cusp of greatness.
So, while some may criticize the Dagestani camp for being too strict, the champions this gym has produced make a compelling case for their working style too.
