Khabib Nurmagomedov has an eye for talent and he still believes that his Protege Umar Nurmagomedov can become the Pound-for-Pound number one.
Since his shock retired by sport in 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov has become one of the best coaches in MMA and he guides the will of Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov and many others.
And with 'The Eagle' hopeful to continue his father's inheritance as one of the greatest coaches in sport, he recently opened a huge megap facility in the Bergen of Dagestan, where he will continue to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.
Despite the fact that he was still in his Prime, Khabib recently explained Makhachev's pension time, so that Umar may be left as the only top hunter of the team in the UFC.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Khabib claims that Umar is still pound-for-pound number one
Earlier this year, Nurmagomedov suffered his first career loss when he met Merab Dvalishvili on UFC 311. Umar was said to have suffered a broken hand early in the fight that influenced his ability to make the five rounds.
Despite the loss, it is likely that Umar only has to get one victory before he gets another title shot, because Dana White previously hinted how exciting a rematch would be.
Recently during a live Q&A, Khabib claimed that the 29-year-old could still become the pound-for-pound number one hunter in the sport, after a similar path as his teammate, Makhachev.
“At a high level, who can be pound-for-pound (number one)? I really believe that Umar can be there too. Umar's situation is currently he has to deal with a loss, but in 2015 Islam was in the same position, today 2025 and he is the best hunter on earth,” said Khabib.
“October 18, he will fight in Vancouver, it will be a fight of five rounds. We will see how he will deal with this. I don't know, I don't know because his name is Umar, my name is Khabib and we are totally different people, but we will see the way we deal with his loss,” he continued.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says that Umar Nurmagomedov can be number one of Pound-for-Pound if he learns the right lessons from his last loss against Merab Dvalishvili. “He has to do with a loss. But in 2015 Islam was in the same position. Today 2025 and he is the best hunter on earth,” … pic.twitter.com/extnykpglb
– Red Corner MMA (@redcorner_Mma) 10 August 2025
View tweet
Umar is going against Mario Bautista at UFC Vancouver
Although it has not yet been officially announced by the promotion, Umar's next fight will come to Mario Bautista in UFC Vancouver in October, as Khabib said.
Bautista is an extremely impressive eight Vechtwin streak, with his last one a huge upset victory over fragmentary mix in his promotion debut.
The fight is likely to be a number one competition battle at Bantamweight, where the winner will take over the Georgian king.