Khabib Nurmagomedov's dad Abdulmanap is a legendary coach. Credit: Vasily Maximov/AFP via Getty Images

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals his father’s legacy that goes beyond fighting and helped ‘hundreds of guys’

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 8:31 PM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained that his father did so much more for his community in Dagestan than just train champions.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is one of the most mythologized coaches in MMA history, after passing away in 2020 due to heart complications. His son Khabib is widely considered one of the sport’s greatest of all time, and his student Islam Makhachev is on course for the same fate.

And while Abdulmanap’s legacy has been cemented in his sport, Khabib says that it was his community work when it came to spreading the word of Islam through Dagestan that has truly made sure of his status as a legend.

Khabib Nurmagomedov details how his father helped ‘hundreds of guys’

In a recent documentary, Kamal Saleh of YouTube channel OnePath Network made the meme a reality as he headed to Dagestan to train at the famed Eagle gym. After working out, he managed to run into Khabib Nurmagomedov, who explained the history of his family’s involvement in the sport.

He is not the only top level fighter sporting the renowned surname. His cousin Umar Nurmagomedov has fought for UFC gold, while Usman Nurmagomedov is the undefeated PFL champion with ambitions of a move to the big leagues.

All of those great fighters cite Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov as the reason they made it to the top level, even after his passing. But the key, Khabib says, is that they would all say he pushed their faith in Allah which has guided them outside of the cage.

“For me the most important legacy that he left after him was that hundreds and hundreds of people who came to his gym to train under his leadership, they began to pray,” he explained. “So many people came to my father’s gym and didn’t pray before.

“One of the first rules of father when some young guy came to train under his leadership was that if you don’t pray you have to begin praying. I knew hundreds and hundreds of guys when they came and spent time with my father at the gym for five, six, seven years, they began to pray.

“This is the most important legacy for myself when I look at what he achieved. So many people have become good religious people.”

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

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