Is Khabib related to Makhachev? ‘Eagle’ hails ‘dynasty’ after cousin’s title win
Khabib Nurmagomedov helped his cousin Usman defend his lightweight Bellator title before shouting out ‘brother’ Islam Makhachev.
‘The Eagle’ has made a successful return to cornering his two gym teammates this year after briefly quitting MMA altogether.
Khabib made his return to Usman’s corner on Saturday for the first time since July 2022 as the latter defended his title against Alexander Shabliy.
Usman Nurmagomedov, who was making his return to the cage following a six-month ban for failing a drugs test, secured a unanimous decision win to stretch his unbeaten record to 18 fights.
Speaking afterwards, his older cousin Khabib said: “I think Usman is right now one of the best lightweights in the world.
“I was before, now it’s our brother Islam [Makhachev], and Usman is next. This is dynasty.”
The Dagestani camp now holds the lightweight titles in both the UFC and Bellator so what is the connection between them all?
Is Khabib related to Makhachev?
No, the pair are close friends and long-time sparring partners but are not related.
The two Dagestanis have trained together since they were teenagers, under the tutelage of Khabib’s father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
As a result, the two MMA stars consider each other brothers in a figurative sense, with Khabib’s late dad considering Makhachev as family.
The Eagle explained on UFC 294 Countdown: “Islam was one of the favourites, my father’s students and he really loved him like his son.
“He really liked his discipline, focus, his championship mentality, everything. I was so proud when Islam win this title. I don’t even know when I was more happy, when I win my title or when Islam win.”
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Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib once dominated the sport with a 29-0 record, which included wins over Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
Nurmagomedov walked away at the top of his game after choking out Justin Gaethje in two rounds at UFC 254 in October 2020.
He vacated his belt, started his own MMA promotion and became a coach.
After helping Makhachev capture the UFC lightweight title he used to hold, Khabib spent most of 2023 away from MMA in order to spend more time with his family and less time travelling for fights.
The 35-year-old returned to his protegee’s corner in June, when Makhachev broke his 155lbs win streak with 14 victories following his emphatic submission victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
Khabib’s former trainer Javier Mendez still works with Makhachev as well as Usman Nurmagomedov and undefeated bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov.