UFC lightweight great Khabib Nurmagomedov and promotion boss Dana White have long had a close relationship. However, will they be able to maintain that bond as the Russian MMA icon looks to turn Eagle FC into a powerhouse in the industry?
Nurmagomedov has made headlines over the last year as he transitions from retired former UFC superstar to MMA promoter. He purchased Gorilla Fighting Championship a year ago and rebranded it Eagle FC. Earlier this month, the promotion announced they will make their US debut in January. Then they signed well-known talent like Rashad Evans, Sergei Kharitonov, and Kevin Lee to the roster with plans to feature them on next month’s card. In a short amount of time, the fledgling promotion has made major waves in the industry and is becoming a brand of note.
Staying power in MMA usually requires a slow and steady approach to build brand recognition and stability over time. However, Nurmagomedov has chosen to make an immediate impact and shake up industry norms in creating a 165-pound weight class. And as he told ESPN MMA recently, his naturally competitive nature has been influential in his pursuit to make Eagle FC a force in the now instead of the future.
Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t in fight promotion to be third or fourth best
“I’m competitive. And every time I begin something I just want to be the best. If I’m [just] gonna be #3 or #4, why am I gonna do this? This is not who I am. We are gonna create a new system, and I think when other promotions see our system they are just gonna try and follow us. This is what I think,” Nurmagomedov said.
“When I buy Eagle FC a lot of people asked me why you need this? But right now, look at what position we have? I can’t imagine what [we’ll look like] after one year. We gonna [have events] in US and other countries; 10 shows in the US. Around the world, maybe we are gonna make 20 to 25 big shows and then we’re gonna look at what we have to do in the future, and what we did in the last year. It’s gonna be very interesting in one year to look at how [big is] Eagle FC.”
Could Eagle FC cause a rift between Khabib and Dana White?
If an organization is successful in MMA, that means eventually colliding with the UFC. The sports biggest and most dominant promotion. UFC President Dana White and “The Eagle” have become close in recent years as they worked together to make some of the biggest events in promotion history and expand the brand’s reach in Eastern Europe.
However, a clash is likely if Eagle FC plans to grow quickly. When asked about that eventuality, Nurmagomedov chose to go high road and shower his former boss with praise. Proclaiming White’s massive influence on the industry. But, that did not stop the Russian from making it clear the plan is for Eagle FC to change the game.
“Dana is like my big brother. I’ve always had a very good relationship with him. Even yesterday I was talking with him about my things and I keep in touch with him all the time. Maybe some people don’t like him, but who cares? Me and him have a great relationship. How many years has Dana been in this business, 30 years? And how many fights did he make, and how many fans around the world did he help make because he made a lot of big fights?” said Nurmagomedov.
“Dana is not like a boxing promoter. They try to create one fight, and they work on this like 10 years. How many great, great fights this guy’s made since he began promoting [for] UFC? When people think about MMA, the first person that comes to mind is Dana White. Not even fighters, we all think about Dana White. Nothing against him, but my goal is to make Eagle FC become a global sport and change the system. Not the rules, but the system.”
Time will tell if their friendship will last. But onsidering White’s history of bad-mouthing other promotions and eventually gobbling them up, even this bond will surely be tested.
Do you think Nurmagomedov and White can stay friends if Eagle FC becomes a success in MMA?
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