In every sport, there comes a time when the torch is passed to the next generation. In MMA, Khabib Nurmagomedov handed it over to Islam Makhachev. However, within the Nurmagomedov family, the youngest brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, has his sights set on carving his own legacy. Playfully calling Khabib “old,” Umar declared it’s now his era. He even hinted about taking the ‘Eagle’ moniker from Khabib and dropping his own nickname, ‘The Young Eagle.’
In a video, head coach Javier Mendez asked Umar Nurmagomedov, on his birthday, about Khabib’s comment that he’s no longer the ‘Young Eagle.’ Umar explained that being the ‘Young Eagle’ isn’t about age but about representing the new generation. He referred to Khabib as the “old eagle” while highlighting their bond as brothers and the passing of the torch.
“Coach it does not make sense if you look at it like that. He is the eagle right? And he is my older brother. If you look at it like that, I am the younger brother and younger eagle. Not age, it means like new generation. It has never been about age. He (Khabib) is old eagle…I think on January 18th, I will deserve this name – Eagle. No more young, just Eagle,” Umar said.
👏🦅Umar Nurmagomedov calls himself ‘Just Eagle’ and Khabib ‘Old Eagle’:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 4, 2025
“I think on January 18th, I will deserve this name – Eagle. No more young, just Eagle.”😁
🎥 @akajav ▫️ pic.twitter.com/0UavJ9Neo8
It’ll be interesting to see if Umar truly adopts his brother’s nickname and carries forward the family legacy. However, the “Eagle” name is so closely tied to Khabib that fans might not embrace the change easily. Only time will reveal how this plays out.
Chael Sonnen Declares Khabib’s Family ‘Greatest’ Ahead Of Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Sonnen took to X to spotlight the Nurmagomedov family’s dominance in combat sports. He noted that UFC 311 will feature Islam Makhachev defending his title and Umar Nurmagomedov fighting for one, with Usman Nurmagomedov set to defend his PFL belt a week later. Sonnen credited Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s training system for shaping some of the greatest fighters and wrestlers in the sport.
In his words, “This is “Father’s Plan,” and the Nurmagomedovs could be the greatest family in combat sports, led by the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Hall of Fame? Absolutely.”
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UFC Veteran brought up the phrase father’s plan, showing how Abdulmanap’s vision is still going strong even after Khabib retired. It will be interesting to see if Umar can uphold the family legacy by winning the title.
