As Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov prepare for their main event clash at UFC Abu Dhabi, both fighters are supported by prominent figures in their corners. Sandhagen is now working with renowned trainer Trevor Wittman, while Nurmagomedov will have his cousin, the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov, guiding him.
For Umar Nurmagomedov, having Khabib’s presence both in training and on fight night is crucial. The undefeated fighter emphasizes how important it is for him and his cousin Usman to maintain their undefeated records for the family’s legacy.
“It’s going to be very good for [our] legacy,” Umar stated. “If I and Usman retire after five or six years undefeated, I think it’s going to be very good. But we don’t think about this. We just train and prepare to win every fight.”
Umar also highlighted that Khabib’s influence goes beyond just physical training. According to Umar, the mental edge Khabib provides is what truly sets him apart.
“He was inside the game for so long, and he knows everything about MMA. That’s why he’s been giving us very good advice. He understands how you can become a great champion.”
Umar Nurmagomedov on Being Coached by UFC Legend Khabib Nurmagomedov
If Umar can secure a significant win in Abu Dhabi, he may be next in line for a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. Umar has hinted that the UFC has informed him he’ll fight the winner of the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili bout scheduled for September.
Sean O’Malley has even compared a potential matchup with Nurmagomedov to the high-profile Khabib vs. Conor McGregor fight. However, Umar disagrees with this comparison.
“It’s never going to be close to Khabib and Conor because they had personal hate,” Umar told MMA Junkie. He explained that while a fight with O’Malley would be exciting, it lacks the personal animosity seen in his cousin’s famous rivalry. “I see Sean’s personality. He’s not too dirty of person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we fight, it’s Irish vs. Dagestan again.”
On the other side, Cory Sandhagen is benefiting from a new partnership with Trevor Wittman. Wittman, who has helped guide fighters like Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje, and Rose Namajunas to championship titles, has impressed Sandhagen in their time working together.
Corey Sandhagen Working With Trevor Wittman
“I’ve been with Trevor for about four months now,” Sandhagen shared. “Working with him has been great. He’s super impressive and really knows how to work with athletes on the technical and strategic side.”
Sandhagen expressed his enthusiasm about Wittman joining his already experienced team. He noted that between Wittman, Ryan Hall, and head coach Carrington Banks, they have crafted a winning strategy. “This camp has been a handful. Fighting someone as well-rounded as Umar requires a lot of effort. I had to push myself far to learn, understand, and prepare both physically and mentally.”
The matchup between Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov is set to be a thrilling event in Abu Dhabi, with both fighters bringing top-tier support to the octagon on August 3.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
