KEY POINTS

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov's protege Saygid Izagakhmae signs with ONE Championship
  • Izagakhmaev is expected to make his promotional debut in December
  • The Russian prospect is coming off a sensational submission victory

Khabib Nurmagomedov is pretty busy handling Eagle Fighting Championship, which appears to be flourishing.

While that speaks well for the former UFC lightweight champion, he can only accommodate so much talent from his end.

Aware that this deprives talented fighters of a chance to grow, “The Eagle” needs to make moves. One of them involves Saygid Izagakhmaev, who is one of the top 170-pound prospects in the international fight scene.

The training partner of Nurmagomedov could have made sense in joining the UFC. But instead, Izagakhmaev has been announced to have signed with ONE Championship.

The retired Russian legend made the announcement via Twitter and added that the Dagestani grappler would be making his debut in December.

Izagakhmaev becomes the latest fighter from Dagestan to join ONE Championship after Marat Gafurov, Yusup Saadulaev and Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev, among others.

Chatri Sityodtong
Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Championship CEO. Chatri Sityodtong, founder of ONE Championship, attends the Day 2 of the RISE Conference 2017 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 12, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Getty Images/studioEAST

The 27-year-old hot prospect is on a two-bout winning streak with wins over Paulo Cesar Oliveira and Maxim Butorin. He won both fights via submission (rear-naked choke).

Nurmagomedov also thanks ONE Championship head honcho Chatri Sityodtong for taking in Izagakhmaev.

“Thank you so much, [Chatri]. It would be impossible without you. See you, my friend. It was nice to meet you,” he wrote.

The arrival of Izagakhmaev should stir up things for ONE Championship this coming December. There are two events slated to take place, and it has yet to be announced where the Russian newcomer will see action.

The two events are “ONE X” on December 5, while “Winter Warriors” happens on December 17. Both cards have room to add a card possibly featuring Izagakhmaev.

After being part of Nurmagomedov’s training camp, there was a reversal of role with “The Eagle” now becoming the coach of Izagakhmaev.

In September during a fight, Nurmagomedov explained to Izagakhmaev why the judges gave the first round to his opponent, Maxime Butorin.

After addressing his mistakes, Izagakhmaev came out with a different approach in the second round and won via submission.

It appears that it was this performance that led ONE Championship to notice Izagakhmaev.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
Could boxing be next for Khabib Nurmagomedov? In this picture, Nurmagomedov of Russia carries his champions belt as he is escorted by fans upon his arrival in Makhachkala, Oct. 8, 2018. VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images
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