UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov planning to launch fight schools to find next champions across Russia and Middle East

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV plans to further follow in his late father’s footsteps by opening more own mixed martial arts schools.

The Russian’s dad, Abdulmanap, was a renowned MMA coach in Dagestan and was responsible for the explosion of talent in the region.

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Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov plans to open more MMA schools[/caption]

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The Eagle plans to open more schools in Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Kazan and Krasnodar[/caption]

Nurmagomedov opened a 200-pupil-capacity school in his home town in December 2019 and named it after his father following his passing last year.

But the former lightweight champion plans to open more academies in Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Kazan and Krasnodar.

The 32-year-old said: “The largest will be in Abu Dhabi.

“It will be open at the end of December.

“I want to open one in Moscow; there are schools here, but there are no big schools.

“I have agreements in Kazan, Krasnodar and many other places.”

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Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts last October and has since turned his attention to coaching his team-mates.

The Eagle is a perfect 8-0 as a coach and plans to pass his wisdom down to students during masterclasses.

He continued: “Our guys will train there. I will not train myself because there will be no time.

“I can do more than be a coach. Of course, I will attend – I will conduct masterclasses.”

The largest will be in Abu Dhabi

Khabib Nurmagomedov on his plans to open more mixed martial arts schools

Despite being at the peak of his powers when he called it a day, Nurmagomedov is content with his decision to bring the curtain down on his hall-of-fame career.

He told Esquire: “Every day I woke up in the morning and started training, and in the evening my body was exhausted because I had brought it to the limit.

“I just want to live a life in which I can get at least a little sleep before lunchtime, to live for myself and not devote myself 100 per cent to sports.”

He added: “There are about five or six people who we are building the path with and I will help them, train with them, share my experiences.

“To some extent, this can be called a coaching life, but I am not going to fully enter into coaching.

“I will always be there and share my experience.”

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