Khabib Nurmagomedov had a well documented struggle to make weight. This is due to the fact that many believe that he belonged at welterweight despite competing in lightweight for the entirety of his mixed martial arts career.
Nurmagomedov’s success is all the more impressive considering the rigorous regimen he had to follow throughout his career just to maintain his ability to participate in lightweight division.
In retirement, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gained 50 lbs.
Recently Nurmagomedov revealed that restraint was part of an every day struggle for him.
“It was one of the hardest things in my life to stay away from food, even now. It was hard because for 15 years I was on a diet, maybe more, To make weight, I had to stay on a diet all my life. Being a religious person, we have to stay away from a lot of things.”
“When food comes on the table, sometimes you want to enjoy it. I have to train every day for five hour to get back to 86 kilo, or I can live a happy life. I’m going to be happy and drink Pepsi.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from his MMA after UFC 254 when he defeated Justin Gaethje to defend his UFC lightweight championship successfully. He remained undefeated in his MMA career with 29 wins. He promised his mother he would not compete again after his father’s death. Hence, he announced his retirement in the cage following the only bout he’s taken without his father’s guidance.
Khabib competed at lightweight (155lbs) but is now walking around at light heavyweight (205lbs).
Nurmagomedov missed weight ahead of his UFC event against Abel Trujillo at UFC 160 in May 2013, and was hospitalized two hours before his scheduled weigh in to face Ferguson at UFC 209. The former champ also struggled to make weight ahead of his lightweight title defense at UFC 254. It is widely believed that the Abu Dhabi commission cut him slack declaring he’s on weight before waiting for the scale to actually show weight.
“I weigh 205lb now, maybe 204lb in the morning if I don’t have dessert the night before,” he said at a charity event in London.
“When I was active , I was around 190lb and I cut weight to 155lb. I finished my career, I gained about five kilos, but I can’t do anything with this.”
Khabib did not give the same time to his body these days because he had to train his boys to fight, but he managed one hour for his fitness. He explained his routine by saying,
“I train maybe one hour a day, but before when I was active I was training at least four hours everyday,” he added.
“Two hours in the morning and two hours at night. Sometimes when I felt that wasn’t enough, when I was very hungry and before I was champion, I was training very late, like midnight. When I became UFC champion, I began to train smarter to protect my body.”