Khabib Discusses His Coaching Future
Khabib Nurmagomedov said he expects to stop coaching when the current group of fighters he mentors retires, but he did not announce an immediate exit from the corner.
In a January 2025 interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Nurmagomedov described coaching as a demanding responsibility and said, “When these guys finish, I’m going to finish.” He was referring to the fighters in his group, including Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, and said he hoped that point would arrive soon. His remarks expressed fatigue and a future plan tied to their careers, not an immediate retirement date. ESPN’s interview with Okamoto and MMA Fighting’s coverage provide the context.
The event took place Jan. 18, 2025. Makhachev submitted Renato Moicano in the first round after Moicano replaced Arman Tsarukyan, who withdrew with a back injury. Umar Nurmagomedov lost a unanimous decision to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. The official results record both fights. Khabib therefore remained in the corner for his teammates as scheduled.
Nurmagomedov has continued working with fighters since those comments. In a January 2026 interview, he discussed his strict coaching approach and continuing his father Abdulmanap’s legacy. That later interview shows the 2025 remarks were not a sign that he had already stepped away.
Sources
Tags: MMA
