New Bellator signee deemed to be at the same level as Khabib Nurmagomedov
A new Bellator signee is being touted as the next Khabib Nurmagomedov. A wrestling savant and UFC icon, Nurmagomedov is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters ever. 'The Eagle' boasts an undefeated professional MMA record of 29-0 and retired as the UFC lightweight champion in October 2020.
Since Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement, there have been many up-and-coming fighters who've been hailed as similar to him. Regardless, none have been able to match Nurmagomedov's feats in MMA and the UFC thus far.
Nurmagomedov's longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz has now taken to Twitter to suggest that Kadi Magomedov could have the same potential as 'The Eagle' did. Mahamedkhabib Zaynudzinavich Kadzimahamedau aka Magomedkhabib Zainudinovich Kadimagomedov aka Kadi Magomedov is a Dagestan-born Belarusian athlete.
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
Magomedov won the silver medal in the 74 kg category in men's freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, he notably became the 2017 Russian National Champion (70 kg) and 2020 European Champion (79 kg) in freestyle wrestling.
While Kadi Magomedov is yet to make his MMA debut, he's already signed a long-term exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. The official Bellator MMA Twitter account has posted a tweet addressing Magomedov's signing, noting:
"@BellatorMMA is pleased to announce it's newest free agent signing, @Olympics Silver Medalist, Kadi Magomedov to an exclusive, multi-fight, multi-year contact. Magomedov will compete in the featherweight division and is expected to debut this year."
.@BellatorMMA is pleased to announce it's newest free agent signing, @Olympics Silver Medalist, Kadi Magomedov to an exclusive, multi-fight, multi-year contact.
Magomedov will compete in the featherweight division and is expected to debut this year.
bit.ly/42Bh7g3 https://t.co/ESlEh5n0oV
Ali Abdelaziz, who's believed to be Kadi Magomedov's manager, responded to the aforementioned tweet and drew parallels between Magomedov and UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Abdelaziz wrote:
"This is the first guy since Khabib retired I can see him have the same potential"
@BellatorPR @BellatorMMA @Olympics This is the first guy since Khabib retired I can see him have the same potential
Kadi Magomedov is training at Khabib Nurmagomedov's gym ahead of his MMA debut
As noted in an article published on Bellator MMA's website, the 28-year-old Kadi Magomedov has indeed signed with the promotion and will likely make his MMA debut in the featherweight division later this year. Speaking to Bellator MMA, Magomedov suggested that he's been training at one of Khabib Nurmagomedov's gyms, namely at the 'Nurmagomedov School'.
The consensus is that the 'Nurmagomedov School' that Kadi Magomedov referenced is the 'Club Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's School' in Makhachkala, Dagestan. The school follows the teachings of Khabib Nurmagomedov's late father, legendary MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Expressing interest in capturing a Bellator world title, Magomedov stated:
“Transitioning to MMA has been a goal of mine for many years, and this is the perfect time to start my career... I train with many of the top fighters at the Nurmagomedov School and I learn many things from them every day that will help me win a world championship at BELLATOR, the best fight promotion in the world.”