A fascinating revelation has emerged about the strict rules at the renowned Nurmagomedov gym in Dagestan, where MMA star Shara ‘Bullet’ was once denied entry due to his hairstyle choice.
The gym, famously run by the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, was known for its disciplined approach to training and specific requirements for athletes. Under the tutelage of Abdulmanap, the gym became a breeding ground for some of the most successful fighters in the sport, where hard work, discipline, and adherence to tradition were core values.
Magomedov recently shared his experience of attempting to join the prestigious training facility, revealing three fundamental rules emphasized at the gym: maintaining a specific hairstyle, avoiding late-night outings, and showing discipline by arriving at training on time.
“I always had a long haircut and in my childhood, youth, school time I heard about the gym. The problem was that to sign up there you had to have the haircut,” ‘Bullet’ explained. “There was one time I went there when Khabib was young and he actually wasn’t training that day so I trained.”
The strict policy on hairstyles, as enforced by Abdulmanap, required athletes to maintain a “short bald hairstyle.” Initially puzzled by this requirement, ‘Bullet’ later came to understand the deeper reasoning behind it.
According to ‘Bullet’, Abdulmanap’s philosophy was clear: “You want to look beautiful for girls and for a fighter it shouldn’t be there. An athlete should focus on their own training and then the girls will come when you’re getting high titles at five levels and you won’t have a single hair on your head.”
This insight provides a unique glimpse into the mindset and training philosophy that helped shape some of the sport’s most successful athletes, emphasizing the importance of focus and dedication over personal appearance. Abdulmanap’s philosophy was always centered around discipline, and the focus on practical fighting over vanity was a core tenet of his approach.
In addition to the strict grooming rules, the gym culture under Khabib’s leadership was heavily influenced by the values imparted by his father. Khabib himself has always been a staunch advocate of discipline, even in matters that seem trivial to others. A well-known anecdote involves Khabib jokingly “making a man” out of a reporter by demanding he remove his pink socks during an interview. This playful yet firm behavior exemplifies how Khabib’s traditional values extended beyond the gym and into all aspects of life.
In the footage, Khabib recalled the incident with a smile, stating, “I made a man out of him. I made him take off his pink socks.” Khabib’s comments not only show his humorous side but also reflect his adherence to the rigorous standards he believes athletes—and people in general—should uphold. He shared that he even reached out to the reporter’s mother, asking, “How do you let him leave the house like this?” This incident is just one of many that showcase Khabib’s commitment to his personal beliefs, some of which, such as his views on gender and fashion, have sparked heated debates.
Khabib’s influence on his gym goes beyond mere aesthetics, though. His training camps are famously disciplined, with athletes expected to adhere to a strict regimen that includes everything from physical conditioning to the handling of personal devices. Long-time coach Javier Mendez revealed that fighters training under Khabib are often required to surrender their phones, a practice Khabib’s father also enforced.
Mendez noted, “He takes their phones away and puts them in jail. He’s very strict. You get out of line, you’re going in the wrong area, he’s going to… because that’s what his father did.” This strict, no-nonsense attitude ensures that the fighters remain fully focused on their craft, a practice that many believe is key to Khabib’s undefeated MMA career.
However, Khabib’s stern approach extends beyond the confines of his gym, particularly in matters relating to societal values. His controversial views on gender identity, for instance, were made evident during his viral remarks regarding the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag, which he called the “crazy people flag.” He questioned why faith-based values weren’t promoted with the same fervor, positioning his beliefs as a core part of his identity. These comments, like his training style, highlight Khabib’s unwavering adherence to his principles, regardless of external pressures.
Despite his sometimes divisive views, Khabib’s impact on the world of mixed martial arts is undeniable. His gym continues to produce champions, athletes who adhere not only to his father’s legacy but also to the values Khabib himself instills. This tradition of discipline is likely a key reason why so many fighters under his tutelage have reached the pinnacle of the sport, making Khabib one of the most influential figures in MMA today.
Interestingly, Khabib’s values have also permeated into the lives of fighters outside of the gym. UFC Middleweight Sharaputdin Magomedov, who recently made his debut, found himself embroiled in a controversial incident outside the ring in a Dagestan mall. The viral video showed Magomedov confronting a couple in an elevator, escalating into a physical altercation. Magomedov’s actions, which included a brutal stomp on the man’s head after a confrontation, sparked public discussion about his behavior.
Magomedov, who maintains an undefeated MMA record, later explained his actions, recounting that he felt deeply offended by the man’s behavior in public. “When I made a comment to him, he said, ‘Who are you to talk to me now?'” Magomedov shared. “I put my hand on his back and said, ‘Okay, let’s go.'” Although the altercation ended in physical violence, the incident raised important questions about the boundaries of acceptable behavior in Dagestan, where traditional values often dictate personal interactions.
The local government expressed surprise when the video surfaced months later, as it was believed that the issue had been resolved without legal consequences. The incident, while disturbing, sheds light on the cultural norms in Makhachkala, where unspoken laws of morality are deeply ingrained in society.
