Umar Nurmagomedov (13-0, 1 KO, 6 submissions) made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut on Wednesday on the Fight Island 8 preliminary card, immediately giving the big stage audience a flashback to his retired cousin Khabib.
Umar put opponent Sergey Morozov to sleep after 3:39 of the second round with his favoured finish, the rear naked choke. His authorative fight style, smothering submission victory and immediate check on his opponent's wellbeing after the referee called a halt to proceedings reminded many of the 29-0 UFC lightweight champion, who recently admitted he is unsure whether he will return for one final fight inside the Octagon.
The similarities were apparent to every fight fan watching the prelims, as the UFC could have a future star on their hands.
Khabib was in attendance for his cousin's big night as part of his team outside the cage and in the changing rooms. He even took the mic to congratulate his family member after the contest.
"Happy. I feel good," Umar told Daniel Cormier in English after the fight, before Khabib added: "He talked about me. Nine years ago, 20th January 2012 I beat my opponent like this with this choke and today he did this, but I did it in the third round and he did it in the second round."
The Fight Island card is headlined by Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny at welterweight.