In review: An in-depth look at Khabib’s fighting family
UFC 254 is just around the corner, and the October 24th event will mark Khabib Nurmagomedov’s long-awaited return to the octagon. It has been over a year since the Russian last stepped into the cage, and his upcoming bout, set to be located on Fight island in Abu Dhabi, against interim Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje – to unify the division – might just be his toughest battle to date. Despite The Highlight being highly considered as The Eagle’s hardest opponent yet, the bookmakers still make The Russian out as the heavy favourite in the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje odds.
Khabib, who boasts an impressive unbeaten record of 28-0, is an integral part of his fighting family, and as fight night approaches, let’s take an in-depth look at the extended Nurmagomedov family tree. Read on to find out more!
Khabib
Where better to start than with Khabib himself? The Eagle’s 28-0 record is the longest active unbeaten streak in MMA. His first UFC bout was back in January 2012, when the Russian featured on the Preliminary Card of UFC on FX: Guillard vs Miller, beating Kamal Shalorus via a rear-naked choke, in the third round. It wasn’t until 2018 that Khabib got his hands on the Lightweight Championship, beating Al laquinta to the vacant belt. He has since defended his title against The Notorious Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier – forcing both into submission.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov – Father
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, a.k.a. Khabib’s father and head coach, trained The Eagle and all of his fighting cousins. However, in July this year, the 57-year-old died due to complications caused by the coronavirus. Khabib has since held an MMA event in his beloved fathers’ memory, which will now be an annual tournament – according to the Lightweight champion.
“This tournament will be annual, we have already planned it,” The Eagle told Match TV.
“Only the date will change. So, every year at the end of summer or at the beginning of fall we will have this event every year.
“Other than that, there were no problems with the organization.
Usman Nurmagomedov – Cousin
Usman Nurmagomedov is a cousin of Khabib, and he is actually being tipped to be a better fighter than The Eagle. Usman, who boasts an unmarked 11-0 record of his own, trains alongside his cousin at the American Kickboxing Academy in California, and recently signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator. The 23-year-old also competes at Lightweight level, and Bellator hope that he will make his debut in ‘December or January.’
“With today’s signing of Usman Nurmagomedov, we are making it clear that Bellator is home to the best fighters on the planet and an organization where the sport’s future stars are coming to compete,” Bellator president Scott Coker said.
“I am thrilled to have Usman join the promotion and he will be placed in an immediate position to showcase his skills and contend at 155-pounds. We hope to have him in action inside the Bellator cage by December or January.”
Umar Nurmagomedov – Cousin
Umar Nurmagomedov is another cousin of Khabib, and, just like his other family members, he boasts an unbeaten record (12-0). Having spent much of his fighting career in Russia, earlier this year, the 24-year-old agreed a deal with the UFC. Umar was supposed to make his debut against Britain’s Nathaniel Wood, on the Preliminary Card of UFC Fight Night 174, back in July. However, he pulled out in the build-up to the bout. Umar will now make his debut on the early Preliminary Card of UFC 254 – taking on Sergey Morozov at Bantamweight level.
Abubakar Nurmagomedov – Cousin
Abubakar Nurmagomedov is the eldest of Khabib’s clan of cousins. The 30-year-old also plies his trade in the UFC. However, unlike The Eagle and his other family members, he doesn’t hold an unbeaten record. Abubakar has won 15 of his 19 MMA bouts, losing only on three occasions. In 2018, after Khabib’s victory against McGregor, Abubakar jumped into the cage and was involved in scuffles with the Irish fighter and his cornerman, Dillion Danis. As well as being punched in the face by McGregor, Abubakar was banned from the sport for a year and fined £20,000.
