Ali Abdelaziz shares adorable picture of his father with Khabib Nurmagomedov in Egypt
Khabib Nurmagomedov's longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz posted an adorable picture of his father alongside the MMA legend. Nurmagomedov and Abdelaziz are known to be friends and share considerable mutual respect.
On that note, Russia's Nurmagomedov seemingly visited Abdelaziz's father in their native Egypt and posed for a photograph with the elderly gentleman. Taking to Twitter, Egyptian MMA manager and former fighter Abdelaziz posted the photo alongside a statement that read as follows:
"@TeamKhabib and my father in Egypt thank you brother"
@TeamKhabib and my father in Egypt thank you brother https://t.co/s4LqmAHUo0
Ali Abdelaziz has long been one of Khabib Nurmagomedov's biggest supporters in the combat sports industry. Abdelaziz has often labeled the Dagestani sports icon as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) in MMA. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has consistently credited Abdelaziz for playing a vital role in guiding him towards success in the UFC.
Back in 2022, Abdelaziz spoke to ESPN MMA about the influence Nurmagomedov still has in MMA and the UFC despite having retired from the sport in October 2020.
Criticizing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and other combat sports personalities who resort to trash talk, Ali Abdelaziz suggested that 'The Eagle' isn't like Paul and others who pursue clout in the fight game. Abdelaziz stated:
"It's not about clout. I think it's because he's so truthful and he means everything he says. He doesn't just say things for hype, like Jake Paul and these fake guys."
Watch Abdelaziz's interview below:
A closer look at Khabib Nurmagomedov's legendary MMA and UFC career
Khabib Nurmagomedov boasts an undefeated professional MMA record of 29 wins and 0 losses. The grappling savant amassed a record of 13-0 in the UFC. 'The Eagle' competed in both the lightweight (155-pound) and welterweight (170-pound) divisions before entering the UFC.
However, he fought only at lightweight in the UFC -- barring a 158.5-pound catchweight bout in 2013 and a 160-pound catchweight matchup in 2016.
Some of Khabib Nurmagomedov's most notable victories include stoppages of legendary fighters such as former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor and former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. The 34-year-old also holds wins over the likes of Michael Johnson, Edson Barboza, Al Iaquinta, and Justin Gaethje.
29-0 in MMA
13-0 in UFC
From Nashville to Fight Island, Khabib Nurmagomedov's unstoppable eight-year run through the UFC is officially at an end 🦅
The Eagle retires unmatched and undefeated.
We were lucky to be there for the journey 🙌
https://t.co/cKZGiUnS92
Nurmagomedov's final MMA fight witnessed him unify the UFC lightweight title by defeating Gaethje via second-round submission at UFC 254 in October 2020. 'The Eagle' announced his retirement from MMA during his post-fight octagon interview at UFC 254.
His father, MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, passed away in July 2020, and his mother didn't want him to continue his MMA career without his father by his side. Resultantly, Khabib Nurmagomedov competed one last time at UFC 254 and then retired. 'The Eagle' continues to train, however, besides working towards becoming a successful entrepreneur.