In the Republic of Dagestan, two influential figures have played a significant role in developing world-class mixed martial artists from the region. Gusein Magomaev, founder of the ‘Five Directions of the World’ martial arts school, has nurtured fighters such as Muslim Salikhov, Magomed Magomedov, and Zabit Magomedsharipov. The other is Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. In 2020, Abdulmanap passed away due to complications from COVID-19, an event that deeply affected Khabib and led to his retirement with an undefeated 29-0 record.
Four years after Abdulmanap’s passing, Javier Mendez, head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), paid tribute to him in a heartfelt Instagram post. Mendez shared a picture of himself with the late coach and celebrated the recent victory of Gadzhi Rabadanov at the Professional Fighters League (PFL). In his message, Mendez praised Abdulmanap as the best coach he had ever met and described him as a remarkable human being who embodied discipline, humility, and a strong sense of trust.
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Mendez highlighted that Abdulmanap’s trust in him as a coach was pivotal for Khabib’s development at AKA. Despite his extensive knowledge in judo and wrestling as a former Soviet army man, Abdulmanap chose to entrust Mendez with his son’s training to develop a well-rounded skill set for UFC competition. Mendez often refers to this decision as “Father’s Plan,” a testament to the senior Nurmagomedov’s belief in their journey.
In reflecting on Abdulmanap’s legacy, Mendez emphasized that the late coach’s approach was much deeper than just a focus on grappling, despite common assumptions. In an interview, Mendez explained that “Father’s Plan” was about leveraging an athlete’s strengths against an opponent’s weaknesses and understanding strategic nuances. He described Abdulmanap as a visionary who went beyond conventional techniques to achieve success for his fighters.
The influence of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s methods is evident in the success of Dagestani fighters in MMA. Following Khabib’s reign as UFC lightweight champion, his protégé Islam Makhachev has held the title for two years. Usman Nurmagomedov captured the lightweight championship in Bellator FC, and Gadzhi Rabadanov recently won the lightweight title at the PFL Championship. This domination across three major MMA promotions underscores Abdulmanap’s lasting impact on the sport.
Mendez concluded his tribute by acknowledging the tremendous loss of Abdulmanap’s passing but reiterated that his legacy endures through his teachings, his son Khabib, and the many lives he influenced. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s contributions have cemented his status as a cornerstone in the rise of Dagestan as a powerhouse in mixed martial arts.