Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Khabib Nurmagomedov before a bout between Merab Dvalishvili (not pictured) fights Umar Nurmagomedov (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

mma

“Invest In Your Children” – Khabib Nurmagomedov Shares Powerful Message At Father’s Memorial

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov wasn’t a typical MMA coach when he started building fighters in Dagestan. Back in the 1990s, MMA barely existed in Russia. Most people had never heard of the UFC, and professional fighting seemed like something that happened only in distant countries. But Abdulmanap had vision. He saw potential in the ancient art of Sambo and knew it could create something special. He started working with kids in his hometown of Sildi, turning a small gym into what would become a fighter factory.

The man didn’t just teach techniques. He taught life lessons through combat sports. Every training session came with lectures about respect, discipline, and working hard for your dreams. Abdulmanap made his students do homework before they could train. Education came first, fighting second. This approach seemed backwards to many people, but the results spoke louder than critics ever could.

4 years ago today the great Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed away 💔

He was a great father, an honorable man and a world class coach who contributed so much to the sport.

May Allah grant him the highest place in paradise. Ameen. pic.twitter.com/ydH5kN0iNx
— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗❂ (@Sa_Gwang) July 3, 2024

Khabib Nurmagomedov became the most famous example of his father’s methods, but he wasn’t the only success story. Islam Makhachev, who now holds the lightweight title that Khabib once owned, trained under the same roof. Rustam Khabilov had made waves in the UFC‘s welterweight division. Shamil Zavurov conquered the Russian MMA scene. The list goes on and on, each fighter carrying a piece of Abdulmanap’s philosophy into their careers.

What made Abdulmanap special was his understanding that building a fighter meant building a person first. He invested countless hours in young athletes who might never make it to the big stage. Some kids came from broken homes or poor families, but inside his gym, everyone got the same attention and care. The old coach treated each student like his own child.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Message To The World

When Abdulmanap passed away in 2020 from COVID complications, the MMA world lost more than just a great coach. It lost a father figure who had changed an entire region’s relationship with combat sports. Dagestan went from being unknown in fighting circles to producing some of the best wrestlers and grapplers on the planet. That transformation didn’t happen by accident.

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in 2020 after he made a promise to his mother. He wouldn’t fight without his father’s presence or guidance. That moment showed the world how much family meant to the undefeated champion. Five years later, standing alongside Islam Makhachev at his father’s memorial Eagle FC event, Khabib delivered another heartfelt message.

“Invest in your children. It’s the best investment. That’s my advice. Spend more time with your kids.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RED CORNER MMA (@redcorner.mma)

Khabib’s message at the memorial event wasn’t just about his own experience growing up under his father’s guidance. It was a call to action for parents everywhere. In a world where everyone seems busy chasing money and success, the retired champion reminded people about what really matters. Time spent with children doesn’t show returns immediately, but it pays dividends for generations.

The Eagle FC event honored a man who proved that investing in young people creates champions in every sense of the word. Abdulmanap’s legacy lives on through every fighter he trained and every life he touched. His son’s words captured the essence of what the old coach always believed: the best investment you can make isn’t in stocks or real estate, but in the next generation!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!