​Even Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s favorite student, Islam Makhachev, wasn’t allowed concessions with his haircut. Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father is credited with nurturing a team of elite fighters in the mountains of Dagestan, who are now taking over every major mixed martial arts promotion. He had a strict policy where every athlete had to cut their hair short.Abdulmanap’s son, Khabib, has repeatedly said that Makhachev was his father’s favorite student. The former lightweight champion recently recalled an incident when Makhachev was thrown out of the gym among 50 others because of their haircuts. However, some returned a while later after getting their hair cropped and among them was Makhachev. Khabib recalls his father allowing them in and acknowledging their desire to learn.“There was this moment when father threw about 50 people out of the gym because of their hair, including Islam Makhachev,” Khabib told UFC Eurasia. “Everyone left, and about 30-40 minutes later, three of them returned. Islam was among them too. Father saw that they had returned with haircuts and said, ‘Yes, you can come in.’ My father even said, ‘See, they want to learn from me. So, they will get results.’”Makhachev also recalls an important grooming lesson from his late coach. Abdulmanap believed that fancy hairstyles aren’t the right way to impress someone. Rather, a man needs to have a muscular neck, a nice belt, and clean shoes to make an impression.“He used to always say, ‘If you want to impress someone with your hairstyles, that’s not how it works,” Makhachev said. “You need to have a muscular neck, a nice belt, and clean shoes.’”