Why Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Friend Could Be Next Lightweight Threat In ONE Championship

In early October of last year, ONE Championship announced that it had added Khabib Nurmagomedov’s longtime training partner Saygid Izagakhmaev to its perpetually-stacked roster of lightweights.

There is reason to believe that he can become one of the division’s best fighters.

At 12 years old, Izagakhmaev started training with the UFC icon under Nurmagomedov’s father–Abdulmanap–and the two have only grown stronger together in their journey to the top of the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene.

“The Eagle” became one of the UFC’s most feared fighters due to his skills on the mat that he honed alongside Izagakhmaev, and ONE Championship fans will get to see what he has to offer very soon.

The 27-year-old Dagestan native trained mainly with the renowned American Kickboxing Academy that produced stars such as former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, and current ONE heavyweight champion Arjan Bhullar.

Prior to joining the Singapore-based organization, Izagakhmaev had been dominating the regional circuit to the tune of 19 wins, taking home 12 by submission and two by knockout.

Except for a one-and-done fight in Abu Dhabi in January of last year where he lost to Carlston Harris in the second round by submission, Izagakhmaev is a recognized name among Russian promotions thanks to his prowess on the ground.

Izagakhmaev’s only other loss was against Elias Silverio of Brazil back in 2018 and is currently riding a two-fight win streak when he makes his ONE Championship debut on January 14 at ONE: Heavy Hitters.

Longtime lightweight performer James Nakashima will have the task of welcoming Izagakhmaev to the company and will look to get back on the right side of the tracks as he searches for an end to his two-fight losing streak.

To his credit, Nakashima is a durable fighter who can endure a ton of punishment which allowed him to pull off 14 straight victories prior to the losing streak.

He is more than comfortable with grappling on the mat and in the clinch, but Izagakhmaev may have the upper hand once the fight goes to the ground where his wrestling pedigree is expected to shine through.

Izagakhmaev and Nakashima will serve as the co-main event to ONE: Heavy Hitters, where strawweight queen Xiong Jing Nan will defend her belt against Japan’s Ayaka Miura in the headliner.