What’s it like to train with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov and his legendary team of Dagestani fighters? For any MMA enthusiast, the chance to work alongside reigning 155lbs god-king Islam Makhachev, rising bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov, and a lineup of elite grapplers is nothing short of a dream. This rare and unforgettable experience was recently shared by 125lbs GOAT Demetrious Johnson, who joined ‘Team Khabib’ earlier this month for an intensive training session.
Training alongside Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov ahead of UFC 311, ‘Mighty Mouse’ became part of a star-studded camp preparing for high-stakes title fights. The opportunity arose when Khabib extended a personal invitation to Johnson, welcoming him to train with the team at the UFC Apex facility. Days after the PPV, Johnson sat down for an exclusive interview with Andrew Whitelaw from EssentiallySports to reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime training experience.
Sharing insights into his time with the Dagestani greats, Johnson revealed how the camp pushed his limits and further sharpened his craft. When asked about grappling with ‘Team Khabib,’ Johnson described it as an “amazing experience” and expressed his satisfaction with the two-day session.
He shared, “I told my producer, ‘I was like, dude, let’s just go out there and vibe out, right? I know it’s always about capturing content and trying to do stuff, but I said, ‘On the second day, leave your camera at home. You’re gonna train too.’ I asked him, ‘What’s the next opportunity you’re gonna have to train with these guys?’ He said, ‘Probably never.’ I was like, yeah, so leave your camera at home. Let’s go create something; let’s go grapple.”
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 22: Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts after his teammate Islam Makhachev of Russia wins the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena on October 22, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Credits: Getty
‘DJ’ didn’t stop there. He went on to share his “biggest takeaway” from training with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team, highlighting that “hard work” is at the heart of ‘Team Khabib’s’ success, concluding with a clear verdict: “That’s why they’re one of the best.”
This relentless work ethic is evident in the ongoing achievements of Khabib’s teammates. Islam Makhachev, continuing to follow ‘The Eagle’s’ path, is steadily advancing that legacy. White emerging talents like Umar Nurmagomedov are making significant waves in the MMA world and earning well-deserved recognition.
Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Usman Nurmagomedov after title defense win against Paul Hughes
Earlier this month, the Nurmagomedov family faced a challenging moment. While Khabib Nurmagomedov’s proteges, Islam Makhachev and Tagir Ulanbekov, both earned victories at UFC 311, the spotlight shifted to ‘The Eagle’s’ cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov. Many saw the 135lbs title challenger as the favorite to win the belt quite comfortably.
However, the co-main event saw a surprising turn of events. The reigning kingpin Merab Dvalishvili ended Umar’s streak in what many considered a major upset. However, the family bounced back this week, as Usman Nurmagomedov, Umar’s younger brother, continued to shine. As the Bellator lightweight champion, the Dagestani successfully defended his title for the third time against Irish star Paul Hughes at the PFL Championship Series 1 in Dubai.
Following his win, Khabib shared an emotional and heartfelt message for his cousin on Instagram, “Congratulations Brother @usman_nurmagomedov on another successful title defense. You’ve done an amazing job in the big arena over the past few years, and, of course, in life as well. You’re going to show the world what mixed martial arts is all about, and you’re only improving. You continue to learn and get stronger with every fight. Keep pushing harder. The further you go, the more challenging the opponents will become.”
What’s your take on Demetrious Johnson’s comments? Despite being the Flyweight GOAT and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, could Khabib Nurmagomedov still outclass ‘Mighty Mouse’? If these two would have ever squared off in the Octagon, who would you have picked as your favorite? Share your thoughts below!
The post “That’s Why They’re One of the Best” – Demetrious Johnson Gives Inside Scoop on Training With Team Khabib Before UFC 311 [Exclusive] appeared first on EssentiallySports.