Demetrious Johnson at UFC Apex
In an unexpected yet heartwarming turn of events, retired UFC flyweight legend Demetrious Johnson(Mighty Mouse) joined Team Khabib at the UFC Apex for training where Team was in preparation for UFC 311(Islam Makachev, Umar Nurmagomedov and Tagir UlanBekov). This collaboration, featuring two of the greatest fighters in MMA history, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of mentorship, learning, and respect within the sport of mixed martial arts.
The Wholesome Training Session
The atmosphere was laid-back but focused. Demetrious Johnson was welcomed by the legendary Khabib, who was running the practice for the day. Despite being a part of such an elite team, Johnson made it clear that he wasn’t here to compete with the fighters but to connect and learn from them.
Khabib’s coaching style stood out as he maintained a calm, no-nonsense approach while overseeing the training of his fighters. Even though Johnson was retired from active competition, his presence didn’t go unnoticed, and he got right into the drills with everyone else. It was clear that Khabib, now in the coaching phase of his career, took great pride in guiding his fighters and helping them refine every aspect of their game.
Fun Moments & Light-Hearted Banter
The training was intense, but the mood was filled with light-hearted banter, making it all the more enjoyable. One of the funniest moments came when Khabib asked Johnson if he had a “Jiu-Jitsu belt,” poking fun at the notion of belt status. Johnson responded with a grin, saying he didn’t have a black belt but proudly wore a “gold belt” instead, which led to some playful teasing from the team.
Another fun moment occurred when Khabib encouraged Johnson to jump during a warm-up, only for Johnson to humorously forget the instruction, prompting him to do 10 more reps. The interaction displayed a clear camaraderie between them, showing how Khabib’s leadership was both firm and fun.
At one point, while discussing fighting and training, Johnson was told that Khabib’s younger brother, Abubakar, had once lost a fight due to distractions from playing PUBG with Johnson. The story took a hilarious turn when Khabib casually mentioned that, in response, he had to break Abubakar’s computer.
For the full Fun packed session you can watch this whole session on Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube Channel
Johnson Grappling through opponent
In a memorable moment during their training session, Khabib Nurmagomedov put Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson through an intense and grueling challenge that tested his grappling abilities to the fullest. After Johnson had been sparring with some of Khabib’s top team members, the legendary Russian fighter decided to ramp things up by having Johnson grapple with multiple opponents in succession.
The intensity increased when Khabib introduced a formidable addition to the session—a member of his own team, kadi magomedov an Olympic silver medalist, known for his outstanding wrestling skills.
Overall Session in short
The day was a mixture of intense training and camaraderie, as Johnson, who hasn’t trained MMA in over a year, joined Khabib and his fighters in a unique experience that blended friendship, mentorship, and a bit of humor. Through it all, it was clear that Khabib’s coaching style is deeply rooted in respect, discipline, and a strong team spirit—traits that made him an unstoppable force inside the Octagon, and now, outside of it as a coach.
It was a day that highlighted the bond between Khabib and Demetrious Johnson, with mutual respect and a shared passion for the sport. They were not just two champions from different corners of the world, but friends and mentors, building each other up in a way that transcended the competitive nature of MMA.
