The 31-year-old Khabib Nurmagomedov has already managed to become one of the main stars of the UFC and win the lightweight champion title, as well as actively contribute to attracting interest in mixed martial arts in Russia. All this resulted in an increase in the number of domestic fighters in the main MMA promotion of the planet, with some of them directly related to Orel. So, under the wing of Dana White, a cousin of Nurmagomedov Abubakar has already fallen, and other relatives may join in the near future.
The 23-year-old Umar and the 21-year-old Usman are knocking at the door of the UFC with a total of 20 professional fights, in each of which they prevailed. At the same time, both have already managed to speak not only in Russia, but also abroad. The assets of the first (representative of the bantamweight) include two fights under the auspices of the American organization Professional Fighting League (PFL), and the representative of the lightweight category fought at the UAE Warrios tournament in Abu Dhabi, as well as Brave CF in Jeddah.
At the same time, while Usman has not yet spoken about his intention to try himself in the UFC, then Umar clearly outlined the goal of getting into the promotion in the very near future. After another victory at the GFC 20 tournament, he openly stated that in 2020 he plans to join the company of his illustrious brother.
Given the popularity of Habib, as well as the UFC’s course on the Russian market, there is no doubt that Umar’s desire will be satisfied. Dana White associates are well aware that this will only benefit the championship, so be sure to make an attempt to sign a contract with him. The performance of one of the Nurmagomedovs will increase spectator interest in the show, especially if it takes place on his native land. Given the fact that the promotion plans to hold two tournaments in Russia in 2020, there will certainly be a place in the card for Habib's cousin.
UFC is well aware that for the uniform development of the brand around the world they need star fighters not only from the USA and Brazil, but also from other countries. Nurmagomedov became a real find for White, but soon he may need a replacement. Habib himself has repeatedly said that he intends to hold two more fights, and then leave the sport. In this case, the promotion will need a new Russian star.
Yes, one can recall Alexander Volkov, Zabit Magomedsharipov and Peter Yan, but so far none of them has caused such a great stir like Nurmagomedov. Yes, each of them is well known and is already among the top fighters of his category, but so far none of them have taken the last step in this direction.
True legends about Habib long before he became a champion. This was greatly helped by his father Abdulmanap and manager Ali Abdel-Aziz, who competently fueled interest in the person of the fighter.
Even while the athlete healed his numerous injuries, they talked with might and main about his incredible physical strength and demanded to arrange for him to fight with the then lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
This suggests that Habib’s entourage will be able to properly promote his relatives if they demonstrate decent results and win in a dominant manner. Managers will play the card with the “heirs” of Nurmagomedov as much as possible, and the UFC will not miss the chance to make money on behalf of the Russian lightweight champion.
It should be understood that the illustrious surname does not guarantee Umar and Usman success in the largest MMA promotion in the world. Of course, a chance to express themselves will be provided, but they will need to use it. And to do this so that no one has any doubts as to the legality of their signing.
Recently, ex-ACA featherweight champion Marat Balaev said that many Russians get into the UFC by acquaintance, and the fiasco of the younger Nurmagomedovs can become not only evidence of these words, but also cast a shadow on Khabib himself. The lightweight champion can be accused of lobbying the interests of his loved ones who do not differ in special fighting talent.
Talk about this could have arisen after the defeat of Abubakar Nurmagomedov at the UFC Fight Night tournament in Moscow. He fought with David Zavada, who at that time had a liability in two defeats in a row and was on the verge of dismissal. The Russian started a good fight, but made a gross mistake and fell into the “triangle”. As a result, the defeat of the change in the first round and the third failure in his career.
However, this fiasco does not negate the fact that earlier Abubakar quite successfully performed in mixed martial arts, and not only in Russia. His track record includes five fights under the auspices of the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), as well as three in his successor, the PFL. There Nurmagomedov won six victories, lost once, and another battle ended in a draw.
Thus, failure in the battle with Zavada rather than talking about a low level of an athlete, but about underestimating the enemy. Abubakar approached this battle in the status of an indisputable favorite and did not have the right to lose. Perhaps this was the reason that during the training camp, the athlete greatly reduced his demands on himself, as Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov repeatedly said after the fight.
The example of Abubakar can be a great lesson for Umar and Usman and protect them from such mistakes. It's no secret that this failure seriously overshadowed his prospects in the UFC and may well cost him a career in the strongest championship of the planet. Habib’s cousins will be required to demonstrate all their skills so as not to face the dirt and repeat the fate of a relative.
Due to the increased level of expectations and the danger of failure, Umar and Usman should be as prepared as possible to speak at the UFC. In this regard, the eldest of them looks much more mature for the organization. This is evidenced by a series of 12 consecutive victories, as well as more confident performances in the octagon. The 23-year-old representative of the lightest weight acts in a manner similar to Habib, focusing on "grinding" vis-a-vis on the ground. He is able to do this quite talentedly, which speaks of his chances to gain a foothold in the championship.
As for the 21-year-old Usman, he should gain experience before rushing into the UFC embrasure. Unlike other members of the family, he relies on percussion technique, but so far has not clearly honed his skills. Yes, he already has three knockouts, but the level of his rivals left much to be desired. And this despite the fact that even during the fights, he allowed himself to stagnate, because of which he missed serious blows. It is enough to recall the match with Roman Golovinov, during which he allowed his vis-a-vis to inflict a pair of weighty right lines.
And this despite the fact that Usman has excellent physical data. So, the growth of 181 cm does not prevent him from performing in the light weight category (for comparison, Khabib is three centimeters lower). In addition, he has long arms, which gives him an advantage over opponents.