Another member of the Khabib Nurmagomedov team had wrapped gold around their waist on Friday evening.
The first of three PFL World Tournament: Finals Events In August took place in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, with the belts of the featherweight and welterweight on the line.
Before Thad Jean remained unbeaten by dominating Logan Storley in the main event, 2021 PFL champion Mlvlid Khaybulaev completed his turnout back to first place by submitting Jesus Pinedo in their 145-pound championship final.
The aftermath saw Cornerman Nurmagomedov enter the cage to celebrate with his countryman and teammate, and he had a case of Déjà Vu from another hunter three years ago.
Photo by Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty images
Movlid Khaybulaev follows the example of Islam Makhachev by placing a new PFL title on Khabib Nurmagomedov
Just like Islam Makhachev, Khaybulaev is one of the protégés of Nurmagomedov. The PFL star was accompanied by the father of the UFC legend, Abdulmanap, before his death in 2020.
After he had lifted his hand to win his second PFL title, 'Killer' paid tribute to both Khabib and the late Abdulmanap and credited them to forge his success in mixed martial arts.
“Don't forget our school and where we come from,” said Khaybulaev during his interview with Dan Hardy. “This is the school of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and we are full of champions.”
While 'The Eagle' moved next to him, Khaybulaev replied what happened after Makhacheve had submitted Charles Oliveira to become UFC champion in October 2022 by placing his newly won championship on the shoulder of Nurmagomedov.
“I am very, very proud of him,” said Nurmagomedov. “We have trained (before) for 18 years since we were children. He was my father's student. We trained together for so many years, so many thousands of rounds.
“He is unbeaten, (a) double PFL champion. I think he is already a legend.”
Movlid Khaybulaev helped to prepare Islam Makhachev for Alexander Volkanovski
After added featherweight gold to its trophy cabinet, some have made comparisons between Khaybulaev and UFC against Alexander Volkanovski.
Interestingly, the Dagestani would be well at home in the game of the Australians if they ever compete under the same banner and were linked to each other.
Khaybulaev was one of the leading training partners who prepared Makhachev for his title defense against Volkanovski in 2023.
The PFL star was clearly a valuable teammate for the UFC star, who survived Volkanovski in their competitive five-round Perth fight before he hit him in their short rematch eight months later.