Introduction
Said Nurmagomedov and Khabib Nurmagomedov are two of the most prominent names in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Both fighters hail from Dagestan, a republic in Russia, and share the same surname. But are they related by blood? Many fans and media outlets have speculated that they are brothers or cousins, but the truth is more complicated than that.
The confusion
The confusion stems from the fact that both fighters have the same last name and come from the same region. Nurmagomedov is a common surname in Dagestan, which means “son of Nurmagomed”, a popular male name among the Avar people, one of the ethnic groups in Dagestan. According to Wikipedia, there are over 300,000 people with the surname Nurmagomedov in Russia, making it the 86th most common surname in the country.
Additionally, both fighters are Muslims and practice sambo, a Russian martial art that combines wrestling, judo, and striking. They also train at the same gym, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), in San Jose, California, under coach Javier Mendez. They have also fought on the same UFC cards several times, such as UFC 219 and UFC 242.
The clarification
Despite their similarities, Said Nurmagomedov and Khabib Nurmagomedov are not related in any way. They are not brothers, cousins, or distant relatives. They are simply friends and teammates who share a common passion for MMA.
Both fighters have clarified this fact in interviews and social media posts. In 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov told RT Sport that he is not related to Said Nurmagomedov, but praised him as a friend and a fighter.
“Of course, I know him. He’s a very good friend. He’s an amazing fighter. But he’s not my cousin even though we have the same name. He has a very big chance in the UFC,” Khabib said.
Said Nurmagomedov has also addressed the issue and said that he is not bothered by the confusion, but rather takes it as a compliment.
“It happens frequently. Even in Abu Dhabi, I get that. Not Khabib specifically, but they think we’re all the same. But it doesn’t bother me, though,” Said said in an interview with MMA Fighting.
The conclusion
Said Nurmagomedov and Khabib Nurmagomedov are two of the best fighters in their respective weight classes in the UFC. They have both achieved success and fame in their careers, but they are not related by blood or family ties. They are simply friends and teammates who share a common surname and a common love for MMA.
