Khabib Nurmagomedov to continue coaching but will not do cornering

06 March 2024

Despite officially retiring from mixed martial arts in October 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to play a pivotal role in the training and preparation of his teammates' fights. The former lightweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer may have stepped back from cornering duties, but his dedication to coaching and mentoring his fellow athletes remains unwavering.

In a recent appearance for Class A Events in Canada, Nurmagomedov shed light on his continued involvement in the development of fighters such as current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov, UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov, and several others.

"It's not like I'm retired from coaching," Nurmagomedov explained. "Sometimes I go to the gym, I share my knowledge, my experience, with all my brothers. It's not about, 'I'm retiring from coaching,' but with cornering, fight week, everything, with this kind of stuff, I'm done."

Acknowledging the importance of passing on his expertise and insights, Nurmagomedov emphasized the value of coaching his brothers and contributing to their growth as athletes. Despite stepping away from active competition, he remains committed to guiding and supporting his teammates in their pursuit of success.

Nurmagomedov, who retired undefeated at the age of 32, understands the challenges and pressures that come with being a professional fighter. He acknowledges that while victories are celebrated, defeats are inevitable, and guiding athletes through those moments requires patience and resilience.

"This is all about the fighter," Nurmagomedov remarked. "If mentally he's weak, it doesn't matter. Even if he's going to win, he's going to change. This is all about mental. Sometimes when fighters lose, this is better for him than winning because it's not about, all the time, winning."

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With his wealth of experience and insights, Nurmagomedov remains a guiding force for his teammates, instilling in them the importance of perseverance, self-improvement, and resilience in the face of adversity. As he continues to share his knowledge and support his fellow athletes, Nurmagomedov's legacy in the world of mixed martial arts extends far beyond his own accomplishments in the Octagon.