Tag: Usman Nurmagomedov

Bellator Champion Usman Nurmagomedov says Khabib is still active in his career despite retirement: “He’s not just my coach, he’s my brother.”

Usman Nurmagomedov khabib NurmagomedovBellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov is proud to work alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, even as his former coach is retiring from MMA. In a press conference, Usman explained: “Khabib is my brother, he’s my cousin. He’s not just my coach, he’s my brother. We’re a family.” Even though Dagestan’s Khabib has retired from MMA coaching, he […]

Usman Nurmagomedov khabib Nurmagomedov

Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov is proud to work alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, even as his former coach is retiring from MMA. In a press conference, Usman explained:

“Khabib is my brother, he’s my cousin. He’s not just my coach, he’s my brother. We’re a family.”

Even though Dagestan’s Khabib has retired from MMA coaching, he still remains somewhat active as he will continue to work with Usman Nurmagomedov. Earlier this year at Bellator 288, Usman picked up the Bellator crown when he defeated Patricky Pitbull via unanimous decision.

Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 with an unblemished 29-0 record. He then took a more active role in coaching, which he recently announced he would be quitting from this soon. Dagestan’s Usman says that Khabib is still active with his career.

When asked if he would retire young like Khabib, Usman Nurmagomedov answered that he was not sure as he is still quite young. He said:

“I’m still hungry, I’m still young.”

Usman Nurmagomedov vs Benson Henderson

At Bellator 292 in March of this year, Usman will meet former UFC champion Benson Henderson as part of the Lightweight Grand Prix. In discussing this matchup, Usman said:

“He’s a legend, brother. Good experience for me. I will be ready.”

Benson Henderson held the WEC and UFC world titles respectively in 2010 and 2012. The US-born athlete would subsequently lose both titles to Anthony Pettis in separate bouts. ‘Smooth’ Henderson has been active as a Bellator fighter since 2016. While he has competed for titles in the organization he cannot yet add Bellator world champion to his name, though this may change in March.

See the full press interview below:

Bellator Announce $1,000,000 Lightweight Grand Prix

American MMA promotion Bellator have unveiled an exciting new tournament for 2023. Eight of the promotion’s finest lightweights will battle it out with a staggering $1,000,000 purse up for grabs. Among the contestants is none other than Bellator …

American MMA promotion Bellator have unveiled an exciting new tournament for 2023. Eight of the promotion’s finest lightweights will battle it out with a staggering $1,000,000 purse up for grabs. Among the contestants is none other than Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov, whose title will be on the line throughout the tournament. Another major name…

Continue Reading Bellator Announce $1,000,000 Lightweight Grand Prix at MMA News.

A.J. McKee targets Usman Nurmagomedov for his first 155lb grand prix bout: “I have the advantage on the feet.”

McKeeA.J. McKee has revealed he is hoping to be matched up with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in his first grand prix bout. Having made the move up to 155lbs, A.J. McKee was a clear pick to be a part of the recently announced Bellator lightweight grand prix. Whilst the first bouts have not yet […]

McKee

A.J. McKee has revealed he is hoping to be matched up with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in his first grand prix bout.

Having made the move up to 155lbs, A.J. McKee was a clear pick to be a part of the recently announced Bellator lightweight grand prix. Whilst the first bouts have not yet been announced, ‘The Mercenary’ is already calling his shot.

“I want my title, man,” McKee said on the “Weighing In” podcast. “Usman, then. Look, when I signed up for the 145-pound tournament, I proved myself the entire way through the tournament. I told everybody I’m going to finish everybody. So stepping into another tournament, I have to prove myself again? I mean, I have no problem doing that.“

McKee believes there is very little interest or intrigue in a fight with former champ Patricky Pitbull, stating that he was gifted the belt by his brother, Patricio.

“I think it’s the fight that everybody wants to see – on top of, I want to give him a test,” McKee said. “I don’t feel he’s been really tested yet. Patricky (Freire), he’s not a champ to me. He was gifted that belt from his brother – early Christmas present. To be a champion, you must beat the champion.

“For Usman, stylistically it’s just a good fight. We both have the wrestling. I would be intrigued to see that fight. I feel I have the advantage on the feet. But wrestling wise, maybe he can neutralize my wrestling, maybe I can neutralize his wrestling. And once we get to the ground, we’ve seen him pull off some nice submissions and we’ve seen me pull of some nice submissions. So, I feel like we match up pretty equally once it comes to wrestling and on the ground. It’d be a fun fight.” (H/T MMA Junkie)

Would you like to see A.J. McKee vs. Usman Nurmagomedov?

Javier Mendez applauds Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator 288 title win: “He made it look easy.”

Javier MendezJavier Mendez has expressed his praise for his young pupil Usman Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA) following his performance at Bellator 288. The American Kickboxing Academy coach believed Numagomedov carried out his game plan perfectly after claiming the Bellator Lightweight Championship away from Patricky Freire (24-11 MMA) in Chicago earlier this month.  The Russian native was able […]

Javier Mendez

Javier Mendez has expressed his praise for his young pupil Usman Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA) following his performance at Bellator 288.

The American Kickboxing Academy coach believed Numagomedov carried out his game plan perfectly after claiming the Bellator Lightweight Championship away from Patricky Freire (24-11 MMA) in Chicago earlier this month. 

The Russian native was able to display a variety of his skills across the five-round affair. After the allotted 25 minutes, Nurmagomedov earned himself a dominant decision victory, as he became the new undisputed 155lbs champion and kept his unbeaten status. 

Despite the outcome of the fight being very one-sided, Javier Mendez expressed that it wasn’t as easy as it looked. 

“He won easily, and it wasn’t an easy fight, but he made it look easy,” Mendez exclaimed. 

“There were a few times when the fight wasn’t too exciting, but that’s because Patricky didn’t do anything. He didn’t do anything.”

“He had his guard up, but he didn’t exchange. So, there were boos from the fans, they always want fighters to collide, but they didn’t. Usman did, he was kicking and throwing strikes, but Patricky didn’t do anything because he couldn’t enter. Usman didn’t let him enter.” 

Javier Mendez believes we are yet to see the best of Usman Nurmagomedov

Mendez said the fight played out exactly how they planned, although now a champion in one of MMA’s major promotions, he is sure the world hasn’t seen the best from his student. 

Not only does he anticipate much improvement from the 24-year-old, but Javier Mendez also sees an even brighter future In the sport for Usman Nurmagomedov. 

“We knew that it was going to play out like that,” Mendez stated.

“The thing that you have in against Patricky is the long attacks, the legs, the jabs. He’s taller. So we kept the distance and kicked and kicked to push him back, and whenever he closed the distance, he needed to go to the wrestling. So whenever he wanted to come in with strikes, he needed to wrestle, and that’s what he did.”

“He did everything perfectly. This kid is only 24 years old and has a lot to grow. In two or three years when he does his growing, man, watch out. He’s going to be one of the biggest stars in MMA. That’s what I believe.” (Transcribed by MMA Junnkie)

It is unsure whom the newly crowned Bellator Champion will defend his lightweight title against yet, however, one thing is for sure it’s not only Javier Mendez that predicts Usman Nurmagomedov will have a long future in this sport.

What do you think of Javier Mendez’s comments?

Usman Nurmagomedov defeats Patricky ‘Pitbull’ to claim Bellator World Title, video calls Khabib in the cage

Usman Nurmagomedov khabibAll-time MMA great Khabib Nurmagomedov phoned his lifelong training parter and cousin Usman Nurmagomedov after his Bellator World Title win last night. Usman defeated Brazil’s Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire over a five-round unanimous decision at Bellator 288. Proud of his protege, Dagestan’s Khabib phoned Usman during his post-fight interview in the Bellator cage. Usman explained: “This […]

Usman Nurmagomedov khabib

All-time MMA great Khabib Nurmagomedov phoned his lifelong training parter and cousin Usman Nurmagomedov after his Bellator World Title win last night. Usman defeated Brazil’s Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire over a five-round unanimous decision at Bellator 288.

Proud of his protege, Dagestan’s Khabib phoned Usman during his post-fight interview in the Bellator cage. Usman explained:

“This is so important to know … I feel great. Now I believe I can [win] everything.”

See the video below:

On Instagram, the former undefeated UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov shared:

“You deserve it Brother ? ?Another victory, another history.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClIYZUkMfNU/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D

Usman Nurmagomedov wins at Bellator 288

The Dagestani athlete Usman Nurmagomedov walked away with with the Bellator Lightweight World Championship by defeating Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire. Usman is undefeated in MMA with a perfect 16-0 record since making his professional debut in 2017. This Russian-born fighter has earned five consecutive victories in the Bellator cage.

It was a near-flawless performance from Usman Nurmagomedov as he controlled and battered the former champion Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire. Usman earned the world title after five rounds of dominance.

His win at Bellator 288 impressed the MMA world. Ariel Helwani shared:

“This hasn’t been close. Usman Nurmagomedov about to be the new Bellator lightweight champion. He is very good.”

MMA fan ‘RiehmannC’ added:

“Putting aside the countless Sambo champions under his tutelage, Abdulmanap Nurmagumedov has had 2 champs in the UFC (Khabib and Islam), 1 champ in Bellator (Usman), 1 champ in Brave (Eldar), 1 champ in PFL (Movlid) etc This man is the greatest MMA coach of all time.”

Patricky Pitbull Intrigued By UFC/Bellator Crossover Vs. Islam Makhachev

Bellator Lightweight Champion Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire feels he would match up favorably against Islam Makhachev. Freire is set to return against Makhachev’s teammate, Usman Nurmagomedov, in the Bellator 288 co-main event on November…

Bellator Lightweight Champion Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire feels he would match up favorably against Islam Makhachev. Freire is set to return against Makhachev’s teammate, Usman Nurmagomedov, in the Bellator 288 co-main event on November 18th. He returns following injury and illness which postponed his 2022 debut. After defeating Peter Queally for the then-vacant lightweight title at…

Continue Reading Patricky Pitbull Intrigued By UFC/Bellator Crossover Vs. Islam Makhachev at MMA News.