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Khabib Nuramgomedov is the number two contender in the lightweight division and already holds a win over the current champion. A string of injuries has kept him on the shelf for more than the past year however.
Nurmagomedov debuted in the UFC in January of 2012 and won his first six fights by dominating where the fights would take place with superior wrestling. Khabib had been wrestling his entire life and none of his opponents could be as intimidating as one of his early opponents, a bear cub. His father explained the video and his choice to put his son in this situation:
Last year, Khabib confirmed that he was indeed the young boy in the video, yet the details escaped him. However, his father and coach, Abdulmanap, offered his thoughts on the bizarre training in a recent interview with Russian media.
“Firstly, a child always wants his father to see what his son is capable of,” Abdulmanap told ToFight.Ru. “It is a pity that there was nothing more interesting when he was younger. In the end, this was a test of character more than exercise.”
ABOUT KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV
When and why did you start training for fighting? In 2008 I decided to start competing in MMA under the guidance of my father. I had secured a few Combat Sambo awards by that time. My first fight I finished in the second round by RNC and was awarded submission of the night.
What ranks and titles have you held? Two-time Russian Combat Sambo and two-time World Sambo Champion
Do you have any heroes? My childhood friend Eldar Eldarov
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s my childhood dream and can tell you that I have seen all of UFC’s fights. This is something I was doing while other kids played video games.
source: ufc.com
