What Islam Makhachev did with Khabib Nurmagomedov after his UFC title win is recreated by PFL tournament winner

Movlid Khaybulaev follows Islam Makhachev’s example by placing newly won PFL title on Khabib Nurmagomedov

Like Islam Makhachev, Khaybulaev is among Nurmagomedov’s protégés. The PFL star was mentored by the UFC legend’s father, Abdulmanap, before his passing in 2020.

After having his hand raised to win his second PFL title, ‘Killer’ paid tribute to both Khabib and the late Abdulmanap, crediting them for forging his success in mixed martial arts.

“Don’t you forget our school and where we are coming from,” Khaybulaev said during his interview with Dan Hardy. “This is the school of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and we are full of champions.”

As ‘The Eagle’ moved alongside him, Khaybulaev replicated what happened after Makhachev submitted Charles Oliveira to become UFC champion in October 2022 by placing his newly won championship on Nurmagomedov’s shoulder.

“I’m very, very proud of him,” Nurmagomedov said. “We’ve trained together (for) 18 years, since when we were kids. He was my father’s student. We’ve trained so many years together, so many thousands of rounds.

“He is undefeated, (a) two-time PFL champion. I think he is already a legend.”

Movlid Khaybulaev helped prepare Islam Makhachev to face Alexander Volkanovski

After once again adding featherweight gold to his trophy cabinet, some have been making comparisons between Khaybulaev and UFC counterpart Alexander Volkanovski.

Interestingly, the Dagestani would be well-versed in the Australian’s game if they were ever to compete under the same banner and be matched against each other.

Khaybulaev was among the leading training partners who prepared Makhachev for his title defenses against Volkanovski in 2023.

The PFL star was clearly a valuable teammate for the UFC star, who outlasted Volkanovski in their competitive five-round Perth battle before knocking him out in their short-notice rematch eight months later.