Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals a pic with black eye after sparring session #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/bXCHtBlRtI
— Sportskeeda MMA (@sportskeedaMMA) September 1, 2024
Usman Nurmagomedov recently shared how Khabib Nurmagomedov got a black eye in sparring.
Khabib recently posted a picture of himself with a black eye, along with a caption wondering if the years are catching up with him.
According to Usman, “The Eagle” had allowed him a morning of rest on the day of the incident. When a surprised Usman asked him about the black eye in the evening, Khabib revealed that another teammate of theirs, Islam Mamedov had elbowed him while sparring.
“No no, it’s when he grapple with Islam Mamedov, there [it happened],” Usman told Sportskeeda MMA. “That day I was rest morning because Khabib pushed me all week and he said, ‘Today you rest.’ He come, I said, ‘What happened with your eye.’ He’s like, ‘Islam Mamedov give me elbow.’”
Mamedov last fought at Bellator 301 in November 2023, roping in a split-decision win over Killys Mota that saw him bounce back from a unanimous decision loss against Sidney Outlaw.
Usman is scheduled to defend his lightweight title against Alexandr Shabliy in the main event at Bellator Champions Series San Diego at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Saturday. The undefeated champ feels lucky to have received Khabib’s guidance throughout his training camp. It’ll also be the first time that the UFC Hall of Famer corners Usman during his championship reign. And just having Khabib in his corner gives Usman an immense confidence boost ,as he believes “The Eagle” can guide him out of any problem he could encounter in the fight.
“All this time Khabib was with me, he pushed me a lot, he give me advice…Honestly, when he’s your corner you feel like behind you, you have like mountain,” Usman said. “And now doesn’t matter what happen. If somebody gonna be [putting] you in the bad situation in the fight, Khabib know what you have to do… All things he know. How you need to do with minimum lose your energy. For me, it’s feeling great. This is first time when he my corner [with me as] champion.”
Usman last defended his title against Brent Primus via unanimous decision at Bellator 300 in October 2023. However, that was later overturned to a no contest after Nurmagomedov failed a drug test which he blamed on a “medication” as opposed to PEDs.
