Published 01/30/2023, 2:00 PM EST
The UFC champion Islam Makhachev currently reigns supreme in the forever-stacked lightweight division. After defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, the Dagestani fighter defends his title against the challenger, Alexander Volkanovski, at UFC 284. While the spotlight remains on his dominant run in the UFC, the relationship between him and his training partner-turned-mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov rarely takes the central stage. Undeniably, ‘The Eagle’ holds unwavering faith in his fellow compatriot. Once, the former UFC champion detailed the incident that started the phenomenon of Islam Makhachev. And, as expected, Makhachev significantly displayed glimpses of fighting acumen since his school days. Besides, Khabib opened up about the factors that made the prodigy one of the strongest.
Notably, in a conversation with Daniel Cormier that took place in 2021, the Russian narrated the incident about his closest that took place in 2000.
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Khabib reveals what makes Islam Makhachev strong
The host quizzed Khabib on what made the current #2 pound-for-pound fighter strong. Furthermore, the MMA fighter-turned-commentator tried to specify whether it was the standup, grappling, cardio, or the mind.
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 20: Islam Makhachev of Russia celebrates after his knockout victory over Gleison Tibau of Brazil in their lightweight bout during the UFC 220 event at TD Garden on January 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The American Kickboxing Academy product gave an intriguing response. Thus, he admitted, “He can, with boxer he can box, with striker, like kicker he can kick, like wrestler he can wrestle. He good everywhere.”
Lastly, Nurmagomedov declared, “Brother, right now it’s Islam time, you know. Islam to be best everywhere.”
These words proved prophetic as his disciple clinched the UFC gold in Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in Oct. 2022.
Khabib cites the time when a ’24 kilo’ Makhachev bags a gold
‘DC’ earlier in the conversation enquired about the UFC Hall of Famer about the potential he saw in Makhachev as a fighter. In response, the former two-time sambo world champion recalled the results of a school tournament that took place during his school days.
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 23: Islam Makhachev of Russia (black shirt) speaks with Leo Kuntz after their lightweight bout during the UFC 187 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Markedly, the 34-year-old fighter pointed out that it was 2000. He additionally mentioned that Makhachev and he went to the same school. Further, the undefeated fighter stated that the current lightweight champion was 3 years younger than him.
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Thus, the 29-0 record holder stated, “And, it was like, in gym, they go the one tournament in one city. He and my big brother, Shamil. They go like 15 people, only 2 guys become champion. Islam and Shamil. Ok. Shamil is the champion. I understand, but who are you? He’s like small guy, 24 kilo.”
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“He come back with gold medal. Since that time and now 2021, 20 years, this guy keep doing same thing. Winning, winning, winning,” Khabib added later on.
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