Islam Makhachev expelled from Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s gym in 2010: here’s why

Islam Makhachev was expelled from Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s gym in 2010 after a clash over training rules. The ban came during Makhachev’s formative years under Nurmagomedov, the late Dagestani coach who later became his father-in-law and mentor.

What happened?

On an unspecified date in 2010, Makhachev was told to leave the gym run by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the Dagestani coach famed for shaping champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov. The split followed a dispute over Makhachev’s approach to training, according to the account published this week. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in 2022, was known for strict discipline: and Makhachev’s exit suggests he fell short of those standards at the time.

Why it matters for Islam Makhachev

The expulsion shows Makhachev’s early struggles to meet the high bar set by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. It also hints at the friction that later gave way to a close working relationship. By 2016, Makhachev had rejoined Abdulmanap’s camp and became a key figure in the Nurmagomedov-led Dagestani fight factory. The turnaround underscores Makhachev’s ability to adapt under one of MMA’s toughest coaches.

The bigger picture

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s gym was a forge for elite grapplers and wrestlers. Makhachev’s ban reveals the internal pressures that shaped the gym’s culture. It also frames his later success: including a UFC Lightweight Championship win in 2022: as a hard-won climb back from early setbacks.

What comes next?

Makhachev’s career trajectory since 2010 shows how early setbacks can fuel long-term growth. His 2022 UFC title run capped a decade of rebuilding trust with Abdulmanap’s methods. For fans, the 2010 expulsion reads like a footnote now: but it was a turning point in Makhachev’s journey.