Khabib Nurmagomedov (L) faces off against Tony Ferguson (R) during a press conference (Digital Trends)
Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken to coaching after his UFC retirement recently
UFC lightweight legend, Khabib Nurmagomedov, officially called it a day from MMA last month, ending his professional career with a 29-0-0 record.
But the 32-year-old cannot separate himself for the sport. Since hanging up his gloves, the former lightweight champion has entered into coaching.
‘The Eagle’ trains his teammates a few times every week and is even present at their corner in UFC matches; he made his debut as a cornerman when Islam Makhachev beat Drew Dober at UFC 259.
And since then, Khabib has been spotted in training sessions with various other MMA figures apart from his own teammates.
But Tony Ferguson still takes pride in the fact that he did it first; and he was on Submission Radio to give his thoughts on Khabib’s coaching career.
‘El Cucuy’ was addressing if his doomed fight with Nurmagomedov would ever happen now with the latter’s retirement, but his focus shifted on Khabib entering the world of coaching and described how his own experiences as a coach were.
“He’s doing the coaching, but I did the coaching thing too. I’m not saying he looks up to me, but it’s cool to be able to see these fighters, you know what I mean, it’s different.
“When I started coaching I started seeing… Khabib coaching a lot, and it’s stepping up, dude. You don’t see anybody doing it, then you gotta be the leader and just do it. And when other people start to do it, then you take it another level… makes you wanna take it to another level.”
He goes on to talk himself up in the next few seconds as he describes how he is a really good coach and a trainer.
As for his fighting, it seems that Ferguson is nearing the end of his prime. And he might not have the Khabib fight anymore, but he could fight Islam Makhachev.
But for now, his focus would be on his UFC 262 fight against Beneil Dariush as he looks to end his two-fight losing streak in the UFC.
Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates
