Coach Khabib Had 'Small' Role In 'Rocky' Rout

29/07/2024 16:40

Former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, helped train Belal Muhammad ahead of the UFC 304 pay-per-view (PPV) event last weekend in Manchester, where "Remember the Name" captured the welterweight strap from local favorite Leon Edwards.

Not surprisingly, "The Eagle" was overjoyed by Muhammad's big night.

''You deserve it brother. Many congratulations," Nurmagomedov wrote on social media. "I'm very happy for you and your coach. Hands up, you're the world champion."

So what about that super-secret training sessions?

"Belal trained with his coaches, he has very high-class coaches," Nurmagomedov said. "I just helped him in small things. All credit goes to his coaches and Belal's heart.''

I guess that "crazy" start time didn't matter after all.

The retired Nurmagomedov, back in the headlines for his ongoing tax troubles, is also one of the masterminds behind the meteoric rise of current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who may or may not defend his 155-pound title later this year in Abu Dhabi.

A timeline for Muhammad's first title defense has yet to be determined.