Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals why MMA coaching is tougher than promoting
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes cornering a close friend or teammate is tougher than promoting fights.
Since announcing his retirement from MMA, Nurmagomedov has taken up multiple ventures. One of those is his own MMA promotion, Eagle FC. Furthermore, the Dagestani acts as a part-time coach for his friends and teammates like Islam Makhachev and Zubaira Tukhugov.
During a recent interview with media outlet MMA Junkie, 'The Eagle' was asked to pick the tougher role between coaching and promoting. Nurmagomedov chose coaching as his answer. He says it gets difficult for him to corner a fight when a close friend or brother is in the cage:
"Honestly, I think coaching is more tough because when you're coaching, and you go to the fight day and corner like, your brother or very close friend, it's like... this is take too much energy from you. Promoting, of course, is not easy too. But my opinion is that coaching is at a different level."
Catch the full Nurmagomedov interview with MMA Junkie below:
Khabib Nurmagomedov does not plan on becoming a full-time coach
Although MMA fans have fallen in love with Khabib Nurmagomedov's new avatar as an MMA coach, 'The Eagle' has no plans on doing the job full time.
During a 2021 interview with RT Sport, the 33-year-old stated that he coaches because of the vast knowledge he can share with his fighters. Nurmagomedov also revealed why he won't take up coaching permanently:
“I don’t plan to be a professional coach. But when my brothers fight, since I have a lot of experience in the octagon, I can give good advice, especially when it’s guys that you grew up with and know well. You know their strengths and weaknesses, how they match up against their opponent. I’ll be doing that in the future. But to go to a gym… I don’t think it’d be right for me to be just a coach. I can do so much more. So, I don’t plan on doing that.” [Translation courtesy: RT Sport MMA]
Watch the interview below:
Khabib Nurmagomedov had an incredible 2021 as a coach as many of his fighters went on to get their hands raised in fights last year.
Coach @TeamKhabib is having an incredible year so far! 🦅
#UFCVegas31 https://t.co/MbLWOso2RG