Already retired from martial arts, Khabib Nurmagomedov is making a clear departure from mixed martial arts.
The former UFC lightweight champion announced on Instagram on Friday that he is stepping down from his coaching role to be with his family.
Javier Mendez, who coached Khabib and coached alongside him at the American Kickboxing Academy, shared further insights with Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.
“He just doesn’t want to give up being his father,” Mendes said. Said he planned to. He does this for the right reasons. He is a homely man and wants to spend more time with his family. “
Nurmagomedov left the sport at the top of his game. He achieved a 29-0 record with a submission victory over Justin Gaethje at his UFC 254 in October 2020. It was also his third consecutive successful defense of the lightweight crown.
The 34-year-old is one of the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighters, and Mendes believed his former student could reach similar heights as a coach.
“He learned from me, he learned from his father — mostly from his father,” he said. What he’s doing, the camp I’m watching, he’s on track for the fighter he’s got – IMO the greatest coach of all time would do that too. can see.”
Islam Makachev is the most famous star who worked under Nurmagomedov. Makhachev became the lightweight champion last October when he submitted to UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira. He will face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 on February 11, jeopardizing his gold medal.
Mendez told Iole it was unclear if Nurmagomedov’s retirement would take effect immediately or if he would stay in Makhachev’s corner long enough to play another match.