“Champions are born in such halls”: the martial arts school named after Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov opened in Makhachkala

“The guys are joking that at the end of their careers there will be hot water in the hall”

The Nurmagomedov family continues to glorify their names not only thanks to high-profile achievements in martial arts, but also the construction of sports infrastructure. So, the big event for Dagestan was the opening of the martial arts school named after Adbulmanap Nurmagomedov in Makhachkala. The event was attended by many journalists and officials, including the mayor of the city of Salman Dadaev.

“Today, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the flagship of national sports pride. The new martial arts school will allow athletes from the municipality to master such professional skills as a famous athlete, to reach new heights, ”TASS quoted Dadaev as saying.

The head of Dagestan, Vladimir Vasiliev, emphasized that the school was built entirely at the expense of the Nurmagomedov family. Moreover, in the future they plan to expand it and turn it into a general education one, so that young athletes can not only train in it, but also live and do lessons.

“They opened a mixed martial arts hall, there will be wrestling, combat sambo, grappling, Thai boxing, MMA. There are all conditions for children to walk and train. To spend time in the hall. They made a large quadrature so that at least 100 people could train at the same time. The hall will be able to accommodate 150-200 people. There is a rocking chair, a steam room, a “cage”, a boxing zone and more than 400 sq m of tatami. At the same time, up to 200 people can train here, ”said Habib Nurmagomedov, who arrived at the ceremony.

• Khabib Nurmagomedov on conditions in the new school

Family plans are not limited to the school in Makhachkala. For example, in the near future they are going to open a high-altitude struggle center in the Tsumadinsky district of the region.

“This hall was built at the expense of the family, but the republic is ready to help us and helps. With territory, educational institution. By the end of next year should pass the second facility. By the summer, another room will open in my village. In the mountains, we already have a guest house with a sports bias, ready to accommodate 60 people. Summer training in the mountains will only help athletes. By the New Year we’ll finish everything. And in Moscow we want to develop a wrestling school. There are agreements on sites and with Moskomsport. They were visiting them and met with understanding, ”explained Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

At the same time, Khabib and other students of his illustrious father will be able to study in the halls of the new school.

“This is a long-awaited hall for our team. The guys joke that at least at the end of their careers there will be hot water in the hall. We did not have it at one time. There were only mats and a basketball court. For 70 people there was one shower with cold water. This was enough to raise 30 world champions. Conditions are not always important. A fighter must experience hunger, motivation. If there is everything - where to strive? In such halls champions are born. An athlete should always be missing something, ”Nurmagomedov the Younger emphasized.

Abulmanap Nurmagomedov himself promised that he would personally work in his own school in the first years of its functioning.

“I will connect with my collections. I initially promised that I would work in this room for three years, and then I would become a consultant. Upstairs, we have a so-called recreation room, where I will sort out the rivals of Khabib, Islam Makhachev and others. There are all the possibilities for this. We will work so that there are no mistakes, ”the specialist said.

He also said that periodically, the famous coach Javier Mendes, who works with Habib, will come to the school. Also in the halls of the institution will be able to engage in foreign athletes.

“12 people will come to us from Saudi Arabia. If we still have a base in the mountains, then I will not have to travel to other countries, I can take athletes from there at home. Still, there is a highland, excellent conditions, ”the coach concluded.

• Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov about opening his own name hall

“Habib's fight with Ferguson is the biggest in UFC history”

Of course, the opening ceremony did not go without discussing more pressing issues for MMA, for example, the fight between Khabib and Tony Ferguson, which is due to take place on April 18 in Brooklyn. Nurmagomedov Jr. himself explained why the UFC is in no hurry to state this officially.

“This is the most anticipated battle. He signed a contract, I signed. People were not even surprised, because everyone was tired of waiting, because they were going to organize our duel four times. Someone probably no longer believes that it will take place. As for the official information, this is a question for the UFC. Announce, I think. They ponder over the press conference. I, in turn, just train and wait, ”said the UFC lightweight champion.

According to him, the duel with Ferguson caused a real sports excitement in him, unlike all the last fights.

“I will train, plow. I am gaining experience, getting older. I am 31, an age when a person can be at the limit of possibilities. I will train even more, the opponent is strong, dangerous. This motivation was not enough for me in the last battles. Yakvinta, Conor, Barbosa, Porrier are not Ferguson level rivals. I feel that a fire has flared up in me, ”added Habib.

In turn, his father called the fight with Ferguson the largest in the history of promotion.

“We have already begun preparations for Tony four times, so there is nothing new for us here. Need to get in shape. You need to prepare for the biggest fight in UFC history as never before. Fee? I probably will not discuss this topic with anyone else. This applies only to the family. You yourself see where the money goes, ”said Abdulmanap Nurmagomedovich.

He also pleased all fans of mixed martial arts with an unexpected statement. According to him, Islam Makhachev may well meet with Conor McGregor.

“Islam is now ready to fight with any rival from the top 10 lightweight UFC. And if he wins an early victory, he will become a contender for the championship belt. Makhachev has the opportunity to meet even with Conor, if he turns out to be stronger than Donald Cerrone. Why not? They used to run from Khabib, now they run from Islam. There is nothing new for me in this, but we still get them. Who is preferable, Donald or Conor? Yes, we will transfer both of them to the ground in the third minute. No difference. After all, they are drummers, and Islam has a lot of baggage to fight. But he can fight in the rack, he has a very good grappling. His victory over both seems real to me. When I see an opponent, I think how to get it, and what to do with it, ”the coach added.