The legendary MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has long written his name in the history of world sports. Some time after leaving the UFC, Khabib completely stopped working in mixed martial arts in any capacity. At the same time, of course, the undefeated champion continues to oversee the wrestling academy in Dagestan, which is named after his father Abdulmanap.

Delegations from other regions and even countries often come to the Academy. His friends consider it an honor to visit Khabib.

Sometimes Eagle surprises and even shocks its guests!

Gymnastics before wrestling

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier spoke about his trip to Khabib’s academy. The American has long been friends with the Russian fighter and once sent a group of his students to him in Dagestan. He told the story of his unusual journey to actor and journalist Joe Rogan on his MMA Bouts podcast.

American children trained every day under the guidance of Khabib and his specialists. The fighter himself received the guests very warmly, paying for their accommodation and meals for the entire period of their stay in Dagestan. In fact, all the children had to do was work.

“My parents could well consider me an idiot.” But they simply sent their children to Russia. “I gave them warm jackets and told them that they need to train with Khabib’s guys if they want to be better,” Cormier noted.

Daniel Cormier / Photo: © Jeff Bottari / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.ru

American teenagers were shocked by training in the Eagle gym. There they realized what real struggle was. All the techniques they were given at home turned out to be baby talk.

— You train morning, noon and evening every day. Before each lesson, 30 minutes of gymnastics take place – it disciplines the body. Children tumble and do various exercises before they begin to wrestle. One of my guys told me: “Coach, we’re just playing with you. The real training is in Dagestan,” admitted Daniel.

Strong fighting friendship

It’s no secret that Cormier and Nurmagomedov have a very warm relationship with each other. The American has repeatedly called Orel the best fighter of our time and was delighted with his decision to end his career, despite large fees in the UFC.

“For me, his departure is another proof that Khabib is special. “He chose family over money and fame,” Daniel said in an interview with ESPN MMA.

Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov / Photo: © Carmen Mandato / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Strong friendship is, of course, mutual. Nurmagomedov considered the American a great fighter and was very pleased when he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.

“It was a great honor for me to train with you, I learned a lot from you.” “You are one of the best who has ever played this game,” Khabib wrote on social networks.

The fighters went through training camps together and prepared for important fights. They even had experience jokingly fighting with each other, although Nurmagomedov and Cormier represent different weight categories. The American also visited Khabib in Moscow and worked together with Russian fighters.

Champion, coach and commentator

Daniel Cormier is a legend in the UFC world. The former wrestler, who was a World Championship medalist and a participant in the 2004 Olympics, swapped the mat for the Octagon and was right. Titles of the best in light heavyweight and heavyweight, 22 wins, multiple defenses and inclusion in the UFC Hall of Fame are achievements that can impress anyone. And his fights with Stipe Miocic are considered classics of world MMA.

Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic at UFC 241 / Photo: © Jeff Bottari / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.ru

It was Miocic who inflicted two of the three defeats on Daniel in his career. Having lost again in August 2020, Cormier announced his retirement from professional sports, but did not break with it completely: now the American is a well-known UFC commentator and an expert on the league in leading Western media.

Daniel also teaches wrestling to children in one of the schools in California. Friendship with Khabib Nurmagomedov helps him take his students to the next level.