Khabib Nurmagomedov opened up about his father’s opinion on Islam Makhachev ahead of the main event between Makhachev and Green at UFC Vegas 49. The former lightweight champion retired from mixed martial arts after a prolific submission win over Justin Gaethje back at UFC 254. Not showing any desire to compete in the absence of his father, Nurmagomedov rested his gloves with an impeccable record of 29-0. While many believed Nurmagomedov would come back to touch the magic figure of 30-0, it doesn’t look to be the case.
Nurmagomedov is busy filling in on the footsteps of his father and carving a path for the young fighters. Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in Makhachev’s corner ahead of the five-round main event against Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 49. Speaking on UFC Destined, Nurmagomedov talks about Makhachev, and his father’s thoughts on the surging lightweight contender.
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“(Islam Makhachev) was my father’s favorite student. Islam was, for my father, like his son. My dad always kept saying that Islam is a future champ. That’s why I have to be here, and that’s why I have to finish what my father beginning.”
Islam Makhachev is currently 9-0 in his mixed martial arts journey and looks to be in prime shape right now. He has looked dominant in his past outings, and could well be the next UFC lightweight champion of the world.
Can Islam Makhachev become the UFC Lightweight Champion?
Islam Makhachev has all the making of a UFC Lightweight Champion. The Dagestani fighter trains alongside some of the greatest names in the world of mixed martial arts in the form of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy. There’s no denying Makhachev’s grappling prowess. Cormier has even gone on to say that Makhachev is a better pure wrestler than Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Touted to be the next Khabib, Islam Makhachev has shown a Championship mentality and has finished both of his last two opponents. There are exciting opponents for Islam Makhachev should he get past Bobby Green this weekend. While a match-up against the division’s elite strikers in the form of Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier is always there. However, a showdown against Charles Oliveria is also likely possibility. A lot would depend on how the lightweight division moves forward, but it goes without saying that Islam Makhachev could well be the one with the lightweight gold at the end of 2022.