Few training facilities have developed a reputation as formidable as the Nurmagomedov gym in Dagestan. Under the stern guidance of the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, the gym became known not just for producing world-class stars, but for its unwavering commitment to discipline and tradition.
UFC flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov recently shared the memorable story of his first encounter with the legendary coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov – an interaction that immediately introduced him to the gym’s famous strict code of conduct.
“We came to the gym, and I had a slightly longer hairstyle at that time,” Ulanbekov recounted. “He looked at me and asked, ‘Where are you two from?’ I said I came to sign up for training.”
What happened next was a lesson Ulanbekov would never forget.
“He grabbed me by the hair, pulled me up and said, ‘I grab by the hair and knee those like you,'” Ulanbekov continued. “He told me to get a haircut before the next training session. And he said, ‘The longest hairstyle in the gym is mine.'”
The message was clear – appearances matter in the Nurmagomedov gym, and discipline begins with personal presentation. For Ulanbekov, the choice was simple.
“I believe I made a conscious decision at that time,” he said. “I got a haircut and came to the gym.”
This disciplined approach to training and presentation has become well known among MMA circles. Throughout his professional career, Khabib Nurmagomedov maintained short hair, a style that mirrored his father’s straightforward and honest approach to life and fighting.
The haircut rule wasn’t merely about aesthetics. According to Shara “Bullet” Magomedov, who was once denied entry to the gym due to his long hair, Abdulmanap’s philosophy ran deeper.
“You want to look beautiful for girls, and for a fighter, it shouldn’t be there,” Magomedov explained, summarizing Abdulmanap’s teaching. “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 strict code continues under Khabib’s leadership today. Recent videos show coaches at the gym inspecting athletes’ hair length, with consequences for those who don’t comply. The code is just one aspect of the gym’s comprehensive approach to discipline.
“In Khabib’s gym there is a haircut code that you can’t break,” noted one observer of the training facility.
The Nurmagomedov training philosophy has always emphasized the importance of sacrifice and consistency. As Khabib himself has explained:
“You have to train hard. Every day, you have to do the same thing. You have to do same thing every single day. And so many years, you have to sacrifice everything that you have.”
For Ulanbekov, that first haircut represented more than just a style change – it was his entry into a system of training and discipline that has produced some of the world’s most successful fighters. It was a small price to pay for the opportunity to train under one of the sport’s most respected coaches.
Today, as Ulanbekov continues his UFC career, he carries with him not just the technical skills taught at the Nurmagomedov gym, but also the values of discipline and dedication that began with that first memorable meeting – and the haircut that followed.
