Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC Protégé Cut After 0-2 Run

The UFC has parted ways with Saygid Izagakhmaev, a fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov once tipped to become the best in the world. The welterweight's release after an 0-2 start marks a significant setback for the Nurmagomedov team's expansion into the promotion.

Saygid Izagakhmaev's UFC chapter closed abruptly after just two fights. The promotion confirmed his release on September 16 following consecutive decision defeats. He lost a split decision to Nicolas Dalby in his debut last November and then dropped a unanimous decision to Abubakar Vagaev this past July. The 32-year-old Dagestani entered with a 22-4 record and high expectations but couldn't secure a win.

Khabib Nurmagomedov had trained with Izagakhmaev from a young age and spoke highly of his potential. In 2022, Khabib said he believed his protégé could become the world's best. That praise made the fighter's arrival notable, but his performances inside the Octagon didn't match the hype. Islam Makhachev was seen consoling his distraught teammate after the first loss.

Khabib's first cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, is scheduled for his first MMA fight in three years. He will compete at PFL Dubai on November 14 against David Martinez. Before that, he is set to return to combat on the wrestling mat in Turkey on September 20. The 36-year-old was cut from the UFC in February 2024 after a mixed run of two wins and two losses.

Abubakar was famously involved in the post-fight brawl following Khabib's win over Conor McGregor in 2018, which led to a one-year suspension. His return marks another attempt to rebuild his career outside the UFC spotlight.

Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan recently named the dream comeback fight he'd like to see. He picked retired champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to return against another all-time great, Georges St-Pierre. Tsarukyan believes a matchup between the two legendary champions, who both built careers on elite wrestling and control, would be the ideal fantasy bout.

Khabib retired with a perfect 29-0 record after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020. GSP retired with a 26-2 record as a two-division champion. The fight has long been a popular "what-if" scenario for fans, pitting Khabib's relentless pressure against GSP's distance-based, tactical approach.

In a recent interview, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed the toughest challenge of his undefeated career was his final fight against Justin Gaethje. He told Lex Fridman that Gaethje came the closest to pushing him to his limit, though he insists his limit was never truly reached in a fight. The difficulty stemmed from circumstances outside the cage.

The bout at UFC 254 in October 2020 occurred shortly after Khabib lost his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, to Covid-19. Khabib said it was hard to stay composed training and fighting without the person he was doing it for. He also battled multiple injuries during the camp but stayed mentally sharp, submitting Gaethje with a triangle choke in the second round to retain his lightweight title.

• Key Takeaway: The UFC released Saygid Izagakhmaev on September 16 after he lost both of his promotional fights.
• Key Takeaway: Abubakar Nurmagomedov will fight at PFL Dubai on November 14, his first MMA bout since 2023.
• Key Takeaway: Khabib cited his 2020 fight with Justin Gaethje as his toughest due to his father's passing and injuries.