In the realm of mixed martial arts, comparisons between fighters are inevitable, especially when proteges begin to eclipse their mentors. And this is the situation of the former UFC lightweight champion and now mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. After conquering the world of MMA and leaving the sport with a mind-boggling record of 29-0, he chose to follow the footsteps of his late father and legendary coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. And in this journey as a coach and a mentor, Khabib has created a hybrid, a force of nature who, for many, has already surpassed ‘The Eagle’s success, it is Islam Makhachev.

After he retired from the sport, Khabib started cornering his students in fights, and among them is Makhachev, who is currently the most talked-about name in the whole of UFC. Makhachev is about to start a new chapter of his career after dominating the 155-pound division and gathering four title defenses in the process. He will soon compete for the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena, and many believe that, with this potential victory, he will surpass ‘The Eagle’s legacy.

However, an ex-UFC star believes Islam Makhachev has already done that. While discussing both their legacy, former UFC lightweight contender Josh Thomson thinks that Makhachev, with his current accolades in the UFC, has already done more than his mentor. Thomson is among the few who have had the privilege of training with both the titans of the sport, and after clearing any signs of animosity between the two from his side, he added that Khabib is happy for Islam as well.

‘Weighing In’ on his YouTube channel, Josh Thomson said, “We discussed this about three weeks ago, and I already consider him slightly ahead of Khabib. This isn’t meant as any disrespect to my brother Khabib at all. In fact, Khabib probably doesn’t even care; he’s just so excited to see his brother doing well, and that’s all that matters. Those guys aren’t competing with each other—they love each other and have been best friends for the longest time. They’re truly like brothers.”

He further added, “I already have him slightly ahead of Khabib, and that’s based on the caliber of opponents he’s defeated as champion and the number of title defenses he’s achieved. And that’s no disrespect to Khabib, and I think if he wins the title, that for sure solidifies him there.” Thomson talks about the brotherhood of Khabib and Islam and explains how this isn’t about animosity, and instead, it’s about the success of Islam Makhachev through Khabib’s mentorship.

In his quest for greatness as a fighter, Khabib decimated his opponents. As a coach, his goal was to make fighters who do more than he did, to be more dominant than he was. He doesn’t just sit around. Khabib is bringing contenders to the UFC right and left, and he has already conquered his former division with the help of Islam Makhachev, who has a record of 27-1 and is on a 15-fight win streak in the UFC. But he wants to take him further, and Makhachev dreams of going further. So it’s safe to say Khabib is successfully paying this tribute to his late father.

This passing of the torch isn’t happening for the first time in the UFC. The dynamic between mentors and proteges often shapes the trajectory of fighters’ careers. So let’s have a look at the notable instances where proteges have risen to prominence, sometimes even surpassing their mentors.

When the student becomes the teacher in the UFC

Many fighters rise under the tutelage of seasoned mentors. And only a select few not only match their teachers’ prowess, but they carve out legacies that rival or even surpass them. This phenomenon underscores the dynamic nature of MMA, where the student can become the master, a rare occurrence in MMA. 

The UFC legend Kevin Randleman, a protégé of the former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman, followed in his mentor’s footsteps by securing the UFC heavyweight title in 1999. Their relationship began during their wrestling days at Ohio State University, where Coleman coached Randleman. And while ‘The Hammer’ was known for his ground-and-pound style, ‘The Monster’s athleticism and explosive power allowed him to make a significant impact in both the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships.

And would you know! Coach Khabib has another prototype ready to terrorize the UFC. Usman Nurmagomedov is a fighter of the fearsome Nurmagomedov dynasty. The undefeated Dagestani is currently the Bellator lightweight champion and holds a record of 18-0. Usman has been hailed by coaches like Javier Mendez and Daniel Cormier as potentially the best among the Nurmagomedovs. His rise continues the family’s legacy in MMA while forging his unique path. And at a mere age of 26 years old, he has all the time to hit his prime and enter the UFC to continue the Dagestani domination in the UFC. 

With all of this being said, one concern that we can answer for surely answer is the reason behind the rising competition in MMA. Former fighters, legendary champions, now coach these young prospects and help them reach perfection. So, who do you think is next in line to transition from legendary fighter to an even better coach? Let us know in the comments.