Embarking on a joint mission, sporting icons Khabib Nurmagomedov and Clarence Seedorf have announced the launch of a new football academy in Dubai. According to the world-renowned athletes, the Seedorf Khabib Performance Club will offer exclusive training methods, which combine martial arts and football. Moreover, Nurmagomedov and Seedorf are planning to open the facility in 10 additional destinations around the globe within the next 5 years, besides Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The other locations and exact timeframe are yet to be announced.

Initially, the former UFC champion and the hugely decorated former football player met back in 2020 and quickly became friends. Sharing the same vision, they have decided to set up a joint company called SK Sports Holding, through which the Seedorf Khabib Performance Club will be launched. The company is to be located in DMCC in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and plans to appeal to regional and local partnerships to manage the performance clubs.

Commenting on the news, on his Instagram account, Seedorf said:

Very proud to announce the global launch of Seedorf Khabib Performance Club! I teamed up with my friend Khabib Nurmagomedov and our global partner DMCC to create the most impressive and unique soccer school.

We have the same mission in life. We want to give young people around the world the opportunity to develop their athletic and social skills through a training methodology that combines soccer and mixed martial arts.

Dubai will be the launching pad for this wonderful project, but we aim to expand globally over the next five years.

The project is based on our shared desire to give something back to the community and our desire to make the sport better. Huge opportunity. To start something like this is a huge honor. It’s time for action!

Also, the famous footballer added that the defining feature of the highly-anticipated football academy is that he and Nurmagomedov will select the coaches and train them as well. Therefore, the coaches will be certified to teach both MMA and football to the younger generation.

It is worth noting that Seedorf is the only player in football history to have won the UEFA Champions League with 3 different clubs – Ajax, AC Milan and Real Madrid. He is famed for launching and operating football academies across the world, including the USA and Suriname. Moreover, Seedorf acts as an advisor for football academies, football schools and club owners. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has been dedicating himself to charity work in his native Dagestan and other destinations worldwide ever since his retirement from MMA in 2020. He is known for being undefeated throughout his entire MMA career (29 fights).