Ever since hanging his gloves after his spectacular win over Justin Gaethje back at UFC 254, Khabib Nurmagomedov has donned the hat of a coach and has been training his close friends in his post-retirement time. Khabib Nurmagomedov had earlier stated that he intends on helping Javier Mendez. After the departure of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib decided to hang his gloves and retire from MMA. However, UFC President Dana White has maintained that there is still a possibility that we might see the Eagle soar inside the Octagon once again.
Also Read: Can Islam Makhachev Beat Tony Ferguson
Khabib's next task? 🤔
Help Javier Mendez bring through the next generation of MMA superstars 🙌 #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/XrJFd2f7Ra
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 25, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov trains out of American Kickboxing Academy. Needless to say, with a talented pool of fighters in the form of Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, Jon Fitch, Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov among others, it looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov could be looking at coaching full-time.
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Last year, Trevor Wittman took home the prestigious “Coach of the Year” award. Wittman played a significant role in the return of Justin Gaethje and his impeccable performance against Tony Ferguson which led to El Cucuy’s first loss inside after 12 straight wins inside the UFC Octagon. In the past, Wittman has played a key role in the rise of Rose Namajunas and was also present alongside Kamaru Usman for his training sessions in preparation for Gilbert Burns.
Can Khabib Nurmagomedov win 2021 Coach of the Year?
Javier Mendez has stated that Khabib is a great coach and rightfully so. The Eagle has an eye for the game. The undefeated undisputed lightweight champion of the world trained Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 259. Makhachev was victorious in his first fight after almost two years as he submitted Drew Dober to pick up the victory.
“Now that I’m not going to train anymore, I have people close to me—brothers and friends—who are now fighting at the highest level. There are about five or six people, who we are building the path with, and I will help them, train with them, share my experiences,” Khabib told Esquire Middle East.
Hey @RdosAnjosMMA if you don’t like all this hype around me, let’s finish our business in July @ufc
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 10, 2021
Islam Makhachev is already looking at his next opponent and recently called out Rafael dos Anjos to share the Octagon in July. Both the fighters were scheduled to face each other in the past. However, the bout fell apart after Islam had to pull out of the fight due to health concerns.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CMOgAbKsx8L/
If Islam Makhachev can reach the top of the lightweight division this year, and other fighters including Umar Nurmagomedov, Zubaira Tukhugov, and Usman Nurmagomedov can perform well in 2021, there’s every reason to believe that Khabib Nurmagoemdov could emerge as the 2021 Coach of the Year.
Also Read: Who is Usman Nurmagomedov Fighting Next?
