"Another victory, another history" - Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to cousin Usman Nurmagomedov's Bellator title win
Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin Usman Nurmagomedov made history at Bellator 288 by becoming the promotion's first Dagestani champion.
Usman won a dominant unanimous decision victory over Patricky Freire on Friday night. The newly crowned lightweight champion was congratulated by his cousin and former UFC lightweight champion on Instagram:
"You deserve it Brother 👊 🏆 Another victory, another history. Congratulations Bro, you went to this long and hard. A very competent and dominant victory, now it's just the beginning." [Translation via Instagram]
'The Eagle' praised the manner of his cousin's victory and termed it the beginning of his successes. Usman extended his win streak in Bellator to five victories and remains unbeaten overall with a 16-0 record.
Twelve of Usman's 16 wins have come by way of finish with the 24-year-old displaying the same grappling dominance that made his cousin famous.
Earlier this year, Usman vowed to win the championship for his mentor. He posted a picture of the Bellator championship belt with the caption:
"I want to give my brother @TeamKhabib gift this year إن شاء الله [In sha Allah/ God willing] @BellatorMMA"
I want to give my brother @TeamKhabib gift this year إن شاء الله @BellatorMMA https://t.co/XSOANyP7UG
Usman came good on the promise and Khabib Nurmagomedov was the first to congratulate him by video-calling him inside the cage itself.
🤳
Khabib called Usman Nurmagomedov in the cage after his #Bellator288 win 😁🤳 https://t.co/B2QZNEqg0Y
Khabib Nurmagomedov is now coach to two champions
Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov now has two champions under his tutelage.
In the UFC, Islam Makhachev earned his long-awaited title shot and made it count. He claimed 'The Eagle's' former belt, the lightweight championship, at UFC 280 in a convincing performance against Charles Oliveira in Abu Dhabi.
Usman spoke about his coach's virtues in an interview with MMA Fighting. He spoke about 'The Eagle' resembling his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, as a coach and being a hard taskmaster in the gym:
“Khabib is a clear copy of his father as a coach. There’s some little things that are missing from his dad but he pushes us very hard for training. He mentally helps us. He energizes us. But I think that Khabib is a copy of his father as a coach.”
Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov take pride in following in Khabib Nurmagomedov's footsteps at lightweight. The two will hope to continue the legacy that Abdulmanap left behind in order to repay his unwavering faith in them.