This facility was a strict no-go for Khabib Nurmagomedov and his teammates.
Nurmagomedov enjoyed an undefeated rise to the highest within the UFC and ended his profession with out a single blemish on his skilled record.
To realize that feat, the 29-0 legend had elite coaching and teammates to assist him along the best way, chief amongst them being his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Along with the late coach, ‘The Eagle’ also had guidance from Javier Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. There, Nurmagomedov trained with the likes of Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, and Luke Rockhold.
But despite becoming certainly one of the most important names related to AKA, the Dagestani was seemingly persuaded against training at an affiliate gym…
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Khabib Nurmagomedov and his teammates weren’t allowed to coach at AKA Thailand
In 2014, AKA expanded by opening a gym in Thailand. That facility was founded and stays owned by former UFC fighter and WEC title challenger Mike Swick.
Some top names have visited and trained at AKA Thailand over time, but despite the connection to the California gym, that hasn’t included the likes of Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.
During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Swick addressed their absence and suggested that Abdulmanap didn’t like the thought of his fighters heading to Thailand.
“You understand, Khabib’s father at all times had a problem with coming to Thailand, since it was a distraction,” Swick explained.
“So I don’t think Khabib’s ever gonna come, and Islam and the fellows close with Khabib.
“We do get loads of Dagestani guys that come to Thailand, but for some reason his family didn’t want that distraction when he was in his profession,” he added.
“Now he’s not (fighting), possibly he’ll come. I might find it irresistible.”
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Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t originally need to be a fighter
While his early retirement dented his claim to GOAT status within the eyes of many, Nurmagomedov remains to be widely considered the best lightweight of all time and certainly one of the game’s top legends.
But despite having fun with an unrivaled profession contained in the cage, ‘The Eagle’ originally had his sights set on a distinct sport.
Before discovering his passion for MMA and unmatched skill, Nurmagomedov desired to be a soccer player.
“I used to be watching football (soccer) all my life and I actually love the game, and for me, that sport remains to be primary,” the previous UFC lightweight champion said in December on the World Sports Summit.
“After I was young, my dream was to develop into a football player, and after, I by accident became a fighter. Sometimes this happens, you already know?
“Where I used to be born, where I grew up and my father was a coach, I’m joking with by accident I became a fighter but in my heart, it was at all times football,” he added.
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