In the world of combat sports, Khabib Nurmagomedov is without a doubt one of the most well-known names. Nurmagomedov’s trainer and coach of American Kickboxing Academy Javier Mendez has often praised him.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s ascent in the combat sports realm remains a saga marked by resilience and dedication. He was born in Dagestan (an autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR).
Khabib started his combat sports journey under the tutelage of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He was a revered combatant in the Soviet army.
Mendez had discussed it on the podcast, saying:
“The biggest problem is San Jose, California, because of Silicon Valley, our area is super expensive…Most people can’t afford it; Khabib had a heck of a time himself coming there. I had asked Carolyn if she can help me with Khabib and the team.”
“And she said yes, no problem. She has this inside dogs – little dogs, right? Well, the first thing Khabib did is – he took the little dogs and put them outside. The are not outside dogs you know? It’s in their religion…they are not allowed to be inside…”
Though success in the ring led to financial gains, Nurmagomedov often said that he would compete for legacy than wealth. His manager Ali Abdelaziz once talked about his generosity.
Speaking with Henry Cejudo on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast, Abdelaziz revealed that Nurmagomedov had previously declined a $100 million match against Floyd Mayweather.
Khabib’s protege Islam Makhachev has also talked about his generosity. Before Makhachev’s match against Thiago Moises, the Dagestani covered all costs.
In an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Nurmagomedov expressed his belief that money doesn’t transform people. Rather, it brings out their true self.
After his retirement from professional MMA in 2021, Khabib acquired the Gorilla Fighting Championship. He then changed its name to the Eagle Fighting Championship.
Together with Mendez, Nurmagomedov is now AKA’s official coach and adviser. Since then, he has trained formidable competitors like Islam Makhachev, Belal Muhammad, Zubaira Tukhugov, Islam Mamedov, and others.