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Khabib Nurmagomedov backed to become a better coach than he was a fighter by world champion cousin

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 12:11 PM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest fighters of all time, and he continues to find success in the coaching world after retiring at just 32 years old.

The former UFC lightweight champion has already reclaimed the belt as head trainer to Islam Makhachev, who pursues a second belt next month. And his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov has now unified the PFL and Bellator titles in the same division.

Khabib still has a number of titles still to win, and back in January tasted a rare defeat as his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov went for bantamweight gold.

Khabib Nurmagomedov backed to become a better coach than fighter

Last Friday night, Usman Nurmagomedov continued his winning run by defeating Paul Hughes in a rematch to consolidate his spot atop the PFL lightweight division. It was yet another victory for the Eagles Gym out of Dagestan, which Khabib took over from his dad Abdulmanap.

Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images

Already Usman, Islam and Gadzhi Rabadanov have won belts in the PFL’s lightweight division, while Movlid Khaybulaev took gold at featherweight. And asked by Bloody Elbow if he feels his cousin will become a greater coach than he was a fighter, Usman answered in the affirmative.

“It’s always good to have fighters like Umar, Islam, Khabib,” Usman said of his all-star corner. “Did you see the team behind me? Khabib, Zubaira [Tukhugov], Javier Mendez? How could I lose?”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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