Khabib Nurnagomedov has named Shakban Alkhasov, Amru Magomedov and Renat Khavalov as three future UFC champions from his stable.
Nurmagomedov is considered one of the most talented fighters to have ever graced the promotion retiring as an undefeated world champion back in 2020 after a final victory over Justin Gaethje. However after taking a step back from competing, Nurmagomedov is eyeing a dual career as a promoter and coach having created promotion Eagles FC where he is on the lookout for some of MMA's leading talent.
This weekend the Russian will face the biggest test of his mentoring career when protege Islam Makhachev fights for the vacant 155lb title at UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira in Abu Dhabi. And ahead of his friend's difficult test against the Brazilian, Nurmagmedov has claimed there is plenty more prospects emerging through the MMA talent factory.
"There are a few guys," Nurmagomedov suggested when questioned as to which current prospects can become future world champions in an interview with UFC Russia. "The way I see it at 135lb is Renat Khavalov. He is doing very well and he is also getting married so is great news.
"Renat is doing well and he is a guy with huge potential. Another guy who has huge potential and who has had five fights so far is Amru Magomedov. He strikes very well and wrestles very well and he is one year younger than Usman [Nurmagomedov] and I think in one year and a half he will be on the horizon.
"We have also got Shakban Alkasov, he recently submitted a strong guy in the first round [Mikhail Doroshenko]. In total we have got around 8-10 really strong young guys and most importantly they are all hungry. I watch them and talk to them and they all have that spark in their eyes. I sometimes see myself in them and the new generation is growing strong."
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All three fighters have began fighting under the Eagles FC banner with Magomedov making his debut win with a first round submission of Elmurod Madaminov back in August. Alkasov recently recorded his second win under the Eagles FC banner against Dorsohenko to move to seven wins in his MMA career and remains undefeated.
Meanwhile Khavalov has fought three times under the Eagles FC banner picking up wins in all three fights while showing his superb wrestling game by following in the successful line of Dagestani fighters ahead of him. This includes Makhachev who can become an undefeated 155lb champion this weekend if he defeats dominant Brazilian star Oliveira.
