Umar Nurmagomedov has returned to the MMA spotlight following reports of a confrontation involving his brother Usman Nurmagomedov and former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at an Abu Dhabi hotel. The reported incident has renewed interest in the Nurmagomedov family, particularly Umar’s relationship with retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s first cousin, not his brother. The two fighters come from the same Dagestani family and share a strong connection through mixed martial arts. Khabib has also played an important role in Umar’s professional development, serving as a mentor, coach and corner representative during his UFC career.
How Are Umar Nurmagomedov and Khabib Related?
Umar Nurmagomedov and Khabib Nurmagomedov are first cousins through their fathers, who are brothers.
Khabib was born on September 20, 1988, in Dagestan, Russia, while Umar was born on January 3, 1996. Despite their age difference, both grew up in a family where combat sports were an important part of everyday life.
Their family connection extends beyond their shared surname. They trained within the same wrestling and martial arts environment that produced several internationally recognized fighters.
Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, was a respected combat sports coach who helped develop numerous athletes from Dagestan, including members of his extended family.
Umar benefited from this training culture while developing the wrestling, striking and grappling abilities that eventually brought him into the UFC.
Who Is Umar Nurmagomedov’s Brother Usman Nurmagomedov?
Umar Nurmagomedov’s younger brother is Usman Nurmagomedov, a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in Bellator and the Professional Fighters League.
Usman was born on April 17, 1998, and competes in the lightweight division. Like Umar, he developed his fighting skills through the Dagestani training system associated with Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
The brothers share a close relationship with Khabib, who has supported their careers through coaching, training and professional guidance.
Usman has established himself as a successful lightweight fighter, while Umar competes in the UFC bantamweight division.
Their different weight classes and organizations have allowed them to build individual careers while remaining connected through their family and training team.
How Khabib Nurmagomedov Helped Umar’s UFC Career
Khabib’s influence on Umar’s career goes far beyond their family relationship.
After retiring from professional competition in 2020 with an undefeated record of 29 victories, Khabib became increasingly involved in coaching and mentoring fighters from his team.
Umar made his UFC debut in January 2021 against Sergey Morozov, winning by submission in the second round.
He subsequently built an impressive undefeated record before challenging Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 311 in January 2025.
Dvalishvili won the five-round contest by unanimous decision, handing Umar his first professional MMA defeat.
Throughout his rise, Umar has benefited from Khabib’s experience in championship preparation, wrestling strategy and high-pressure competition.
Why Is Umar Nurmagomedov Connected to Merab Dvalishvili?
Umar and Merab Dvalishvili developed a competitive rivalry during their time among the UFC’s leading bantamweight fighters.
Their championship fight at UFC 311 intensified that rivalry, particularly after disagreements surrounding their pre-fight exchanges and subsequent public comments.
The relationship attracted further attention following reports of an altercation involving Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.
Dvalishvili accused members of the Nurmagomedov group of participating in the confrontation, although the full circumstances and individual responsibilities have not been independently established.
The reported incident also brought renewed attention to Khabib because of his close family connection with both Umar and Usman.
However, being related to the fighters does not establish that Khabib participated in or was responsible for the confrontation.
Are Umar and Khabib Still Close?
Umar and Khabib have maintained a close personal and professional relationship throughout Umar’s fighting career.
Their connection reflects the wider Nurmagomedov family’s emphasis on discipline, wrestling and long-term athletic development.
Khabib remains one of the most influential figures in Dagestani mixed martial arts, while Umar continues building his own career in the UFC bantamweight division.
Although their achievements and competitive records are different, the family relationship between them is straightforward. Umar Nurmagomedov is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s first cousin, and Khabib has been one of the most important mentors in his journey as a professional fighter.
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