Islam Makhachev has recently given his opinion on the hypothetical scenario in which Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to action and challenges Sean Strickland for the middleweight belt. Makhachev asserts that it will be simple work for ‘The Eagle,’ and he is effusive in his appreciation for his lifelong friend’s post-retirement training regiment.
This weekend in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev will defend his 155-pound title against Alexander Volkanovski in a thrilling rematch that will take place at UFC 294. Although Makhachev was originally scheduled to face Charles Oliveira in a rematch, Oliveira was forced to withdraw from the title fight because of an injury he sustained while training. As a result, Makhachev was given the opportunity to fight for the title.
Although Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be acting as Islam Makhachev’s coach for the rematch against Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning lightweight champion has already announced that “The Eagle” will be assisting Makhachev in his preparation for the fight against Charles Oliveira. It’s quite improbable that Nurmagomedov’s training routines were altered as a result of Volkanovski stepping in at the last minute.
In a recent post on his Instagram account, Makhachev shared a video of Nurmagomedov putting in work on a treadmill. The clip was included in the post. Makhachev lauded Nurmagomedov for his dedication to training despite his retirement from the sport. He said in the caption of the photo:
In one of the interviews I did today, the question was posed to me, “Can Khabib make a comeback and defeat Strickland in the championship fight?” I can state without a doubt that he would have no trouble carrying it out. Even though it has been over three years since Habib retired from his professional career, he never skips a workout. And I can say this with absolute certainty: If that’s what he wants to do, it won’t be hard for him.”
Islam Makhachev reveals what it’s like to train under Khabib Nurmagomedov in the gym
Khabib Nurmagomedov is without a doubt one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters to have ever competed inside of an octagon. He is also largely regarded as the greatest lightweight champion in the history of the UFC.
The Dagestani grappling prodigy has an unblemished record of 29-0 in his professional career and has successfully defended his lightweight championship three times. After securing a decisive submission victory in the second round against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, he decided to hang up his gloves and convert into a coaching job for a spell. Later on, he made the announcement that he would be retiring from mixed martial arts completely so that he could devote more time to his family.
It should come as no surprise that Khabib Nurmagomedov is a very demanding coach, considering all of the tremendous things he has accomplished both inside and outside of the ring. Islam Makhachev stated the following in a recent interview with ESPN MMA:
“When he became coach maybe two or one years ago, he put a lot of pressure on us, you are aware of that, right? We conducted drills, and then we sparred for over ten rounds. And after all of this labor, after one and a half and a half hours, he finally says, “Okay, now five rounds of grappling… Since he has taken on the role of coach, he believes that he does not get tired because he keeps everyone in their place.
