After having his own run in the UFC as a dominant undefeated champion years ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov is now helping to mentor others toward their own reigns. Islam Makhachev already has secured the lightweight title, and now cousin Umar Nurmagomedov may be next.
Umar secured a clear decision win over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi. The bout seemingly served as a bantamweight title eliminator, and “The Young Eagle” is most likely next in line to challenge the winner of the Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title fight that takes place at The Sphere on September 14.
Following Umar’s win, Khabib Nurmagomedov was asked about his thoughts on who his cousin might have a better matchup with when it comes to claiming the gold. The former lightweight champion says the undefeated up-and-comer will be prepared regardless of who is holding the title.
That’s not to say he doesn’t have a preference, though…
Khabib Nurmagomedov Says Cousin Umar Nurmagomedov Is Ready To Be UFC Champion
“I want Merab to be honest, because he’s from Georgia. [Dagestan and Georgia are] neighbors. I want Merab to win because it’s going to be a very interesting fight. White papakha vs. black papakha. But if O’Malley wins, it’s going to be white papakha vs. pink papakha.
“He’s going to be good competition for O’Malley. A very good fight, high-level fight for all of the fans all over the world. It’s not easy to beat Umar. And it’s not easy to beat Merab or Sean O’Malley. This is high level. Anything can happen, but in my opinion, Umar is ready.”
Umar Nurmagomedov is now 6-0 in the UFC (and 18-0 overall) since entering the promotion in 2021.
O’Malley, meanwhile, won the bantamweight championship by defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. He retained the title against Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in Miami this past March.
For his part, Dvalishvili has won 10 straight fights, clinching himself a title shot after defeating former champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February.
He’s now agreed with AKA head coach Javier Mendez that he will corner certain fighters including Makhachev and his own cousins, in undefeated bantamweight contender Umar and the Bellator lightweight champion Usman.
Mendez spoke on fight week about how despite Khabib having some areas to improve as a corner, his ability as a coach is already top notch.
Javier Mendez Says Khabib Nurmagomedov Even Coaches Striking Perfectly
In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Mendez spoke about what it’s like to have coach Khabib back working with him in the corner.
He said that Nurmagomedov, in many ways, has taken up his late father’s mantle in being a figure for all the other fighters in the gym to follow and listen to.
“Khabib is more the leader, he runs everything just like his father did and I come in and I do my little bits here and there. For the most part, I do what I’ve been always doing. I come in and I do my thing and Khabib, in all honesty, has always been coaching these guys even when he was fighting.
“so the only difference this time around for Umar is now he gets to have the great one in his corner also so having him in the corner with me is fantastic. My only thing when he corners is he’s going to go crazy.”
He said that this is his only real feedback though as the former champion has got all other bases covered, including his ability to teach striking.
“Those are little tiny things that I give him, little things like that, everything else he has. His instruction is great, I mean he even demonstrates the striking techniques to perfection now. He knows. Khabib knows.”
Cory Sandhagen recently shrugged off any apprehensions typically linked with the ‘Nurmagomedov’ name in the MMA world as he gears up for his bout against Umar Nurmagomedov.
With divisional champion Sean O’Malley set to defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 next month, the victor of Saturday night’s bout could end up in line to challenge the winner of that highly anticipated showdown.
Umar enters the fight surrounded by considerable hype, thanks to his ties to the legendary Nurmagomedov family. As a cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov and the elder brother of Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, the 28-year-old Dagestani is also renowned for his exceptional grappling and submission skills.
Despite this formidable lineage and the reputation it carries, “The Sandman” remains unfazed by any accompanying stigma…
Sandhagen Brims With Confidence In His Preparation for Umar
In a recent media session leading up to his August 3 fight, Sandhagen offered insights into his matchup with Umar. The former UFC interim title challenger revealed that he has dedicated extensive effort to preparing for this bout and is confident that his hard work will yield significant rewards on fight night.
“I had to work a lot of overtime hours to make sure that I was prepared for this fight,” Sandhagen said. “But yeah, I mean, the rankings, him coming up, the odds, the bettors—I could honestly give a sh*t or less. I’m focused on what I’m going to do on Saturday and that’s executing under the lights, and I can’t wait for that. It’s weird that people are counting me out for this one.”
“The Sandman” further brushed off concerns about Nurmagomedov’s reputation for dominance, emphasizing instead that he matches his opponent’s wrestling prowess.
“No one’s seen me defensively wrestle, almost ever, you know, except for the situation with [Aljamain] Sterling. That’s what we’ll call that loss—a situation. The situation with Sterling was, what, four years ago? I was two years into my career then; I’m six or seven years into my career now, and still no one’s really seen it. So it’s just another element that I get to show to people.”
Sandhagen has long been a fixture among the elite in the UFC’s bantamweight division, fueled by his relentless quest for a title. Currently on a three-fight winning streak, the 32-year-old Colorado native has delivered standout performances against Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, and Rob Font.
Umar Nurmagomedov recently downplayed the comparisons between his prospective bout with Sean O’Malley and the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229.
The victor on August 3 is expected to earn the next title shot, facing off against the champion who emerges from the clash between O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC in September.
While the reigning UFC bantamweight champion has undeniably ascended to the ranks of the promotion’s premier attractions, Umar believes that a potential bout with “Sugar” could never rival the intensity of the historic Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor showdown in October 2018…
Umar Believes O’Malley Won’t Cross Lines Compared To McGregor
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Umar weighed in on the potential excitement surrounding a future bout with O’Malley. The 28-year-old Dagestani acknowledged that while their clash would certainly be intriguing, it wouldn’t match the fervor of his cousin’s UFC 229 matchup with “The Notorious”.
He highlighted that the genuine animosity between the former lightweight champions was unparalleled, making their rivalry iconic—an element that simply doesn’t exist in his case.
“It’s never gonna be close like Khabib and the Conor [fight],” Umar said. “Because they have personal hate. He [McGregor] talked bad about religion, family, and everything.”
Umar further remarked that while O’Malley is known for his trash-talking, he believes “Sugar” won’t stoop to the level McGregor did when he apparently insulted the UFC Hall of Famer’s family and religion.
“I see his personality, but I think he’s not too dirty of a person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we fight, it’s like, you know, the Irish vs. Dagestani again. It’s gonna be interesting, but I think it’s not going to be the same… I don’t have a lot of hate. I don’t worry about this man, and I just want to beat him. I just want to take his belt.”
Umar has exceeded expectations in his first five Octagon appearances, maintaining his undefeated streak with dominant victories despite setbacks due to injuries.
After a 13-month hiatus, he made a triumphant return this past March, securing a unanimous decision win over newcomer Bekzat Almakhan.
Fans React To Conor McGregor Posting Screenshots Of DMs Sent To Khabib Nurmagomedov
McGregor’s latest jab that he fired at the former lightweight champion came in the form of a screenshot.
Surprisingly, at least on this social media platform, the post shows McGregor sending a direct message to Nurmagomedov for the first time on Instagram.
In reference to the former fighter’s current situation, “The Mac” sent him a message and jokingly offered to buy his house because he cannot afford it.
However, in recent times, McGregor hasn’t needed much additional ammunition because of the news regarding Nurmagomedov’s on-going issues with the Federal Tax Service.
Mash.ru initially reported that the former UFC lightweight champion owed roughly $3.5 million in unpaid taxes to the Russian government.
The issues seem to stem from what was described as “uncovered irregularities in documents” regarding businesses that Nurmagomedov is invested in.
In the latest update as this case still unfolds, Mash.ru have now stated that he has had his car collection seized to a total of around $900,000, after his bank accounts were already frozen.
🚨 Enforcement proceedings have been initiated against Khabib Nurmagomedov for around $900K.
The case against Khabib was opened on July 5th and since that time he has been prohibited from leaving the Russian Federation. Bailiffs have launched a search procedure for his property… pic.twitter.com/4Ifh7Kpcf1
Conor McGregor Reposts Explains His Thoughts On Latest Khabib Nurmagomedov Update
McGregor has already commented on Nurmagomedov’s financial issues several times but he’s never going to miss an opportunity to take a free shot at his former foe.
Whilst he didn’t respond directly on this occasion, “The Mac” let his presence be known via reposting a video that was targeted at him.
Underneath the above post which details what vehicles have been seized, a fan responded with a video of McGregor driving his own boat to the soundtrack of “Still D.R.E”.
McGregor reposted the video without adding any additional context, not that it was necessary to get his point across successfully.
UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett believes fans are focusing more on his controversial decision victory over Jared Gordon than some actual “robberies.”
Pimblett is set to return to action for his first assignment of 2024 at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, where the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, will play host to his first opportunity to crack the rankings at 155 pounds.
To do so, “The Baddy” must extend his perfect Octagon record at the expense of King Green. The Liverpudlian will enter the contest as an underdog and with significant portions of the MMA community doubting his chances.
That trend has been evident ever since a narrow victory over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in December 2022. Having boosted his stock to an all-time high with back-to-back highlight reel submission in London that year, a controversial decision going in his favor appeared to turn a strong chunk of the fanbase against Pimblett.
And the fact that his win over Gordon is still used as a way to detract from his UFC career thus far remains a point of frustration for the ex-Cage Warriors champion…
Pimblett: Gordon Fight Was ‘Close’, Not A ‘Robbery’
While he’s another fight on from the widely debated decision against Gordon, Pimblett noted that he still gets plenty of comments about it. “The Baddy” bemoaned that fact, pointing to what sees as legitimate robberies that don’t get the level of scrutiny as his “close” bout with Gordon does 19 months later.
“It was a close decision. I do regret saying in the cage after, ‘No way, that wasn’t close!’ But lad, I just fought for 15 minutes,” Pimblett said. “I still get comments on my YouTube to this day, ‘It seems like Paddy’s got more humble now since he fought Jared Gordon.’ Like, what? I’m still the same person. … The fact I said, ‘I think I won that fight,’ people turned on me. I found that absolutely crazy.
“I ended up watching the fight back and was like, ‘Yeah, that was a close fight.’ … But I think if you watch it with commentary, that sways you a lot more towards Jared,” Pimblett continued. “It was a close fight, but I don’t get to this day why it still gets brought up and people still say that it’s a robbery. If that’s a robbery, people need to go watch Khabib vs. Gleison Tibau! Even Jared’s last fight, that’s more of a robbery.”
The pair are tasked with setting the stage for two championship headliners, as Pimblett’s fellow countrymen Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall put their titles on the line.
Manchester, are you ready??#UFC304 fight week is HERE 👊
Conor McGregor has been back in the headlines this week as he hosted his first press conference as part-owner of BKFC ahead of the company’s scheduled event in Marbella, Spain later this year.
The former UFC two-weight world champion was scheduled to fight in the Octagon for the first time in three years at UFC 303 recently, but a foot injury put paid to those plans. Speaking at the BKFC press conference, the Irishman revealed that he only has two fights left on his current contract with the UFC and said that he has ambitions to test the waters inside the bareknuckle ring once those commitments are fulfilled.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five intriguing options we would love to see “The Notorious” face in BKFC.
Nate Diaz
The rivalry between McGregor and Diaz has simply refused to go away ever since the pair first met inside the Octagon at UFC 196 back in 2016. Diaz took the fight on short notice as a replacement for McGregor’s original opponent Rafael Dos Anjos and shocked the world by handing the then-featherweight champion his first defeat in the UFC.
https://youtu.be/G3ZsRG5gcNY?si=vAOP6EX4-yil60Ug
McGregor won an immediate rematch via majority decision just five months later and it seemed it would only be a matter of time before the pair would square off again. The rubber match never came, however, and Diaz fought out his UFC contract, finishing up with a submission victory over Tony Ferguson in September of 2022.
Although he failed to enter the title picture during his career inside the Octagon, Perry is now regarded as one of the biggest draws in combat sports outside the UFC.
Jorge Masvidal
“Gamebred” was a mainstay in the UFC’s lightweight and welterweight divisions between 2013-2023. He twice fought for the 170lb title against Kamaru Usman but was unsuccessful both times. After leaving the UFC (and temporarily retiring) in 2023 he recently made his first foray into the world of boxing when he faced Nate Diaz.
McGregor invited the former IBF and WBA welterweight boxing champion into his camp as a sparring partner in the lead up to his infamous boxing match against Floyd “Money” Mayweather back in 2017. After sharing multiple clips of McGregor knocking down Malignaggi during the workouts all over social media, tensions between the pair spiralled and rumors circulated that they would meet in a boxing match further down the line.
Malignaggi has carved out a career as a boxing commentator and analyst and has worked on BKFC events since his retirement from fighting. At 42-years-old, could we see him tempted into one more fight with his old rival?
After Nurmagomedov conclusively beat “The Notorious” at UFC 229 back in 2018 to claim the UFC lightweight championship, the Irishman campaigned tirelessly for a rematch. His disappointment at Khabib announcing his retirement just two years later was captured on camera during the filming of his documentary McGregor Forever, and the Dubliner has never missed an opportunity to berate Nurmagomedov when given the chance in the years that have passed.
Conor McGregor’s first question that he faced at his very first press conference for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship was seemingly asked by himself.
“The Notorious” was in attendance at his debut media event since becoming a part owner of the promotion in April as they promoted BKFC heading to Spain on October 12.
The first question that came his way was delivered via an impression of “The Mac” himself as McGregor was asked whether he thinks his former UFC rival Khabib Nurmagomedov could ever make some quick money by competing in BKFC if needed.
“There is a well known rat, who owes his b******* off to the Russian government. You know, would you get that man to BKFC if that man needed a dollar or two, you know. He clearly needs the money to pay back the Russian government, the man is a fool of a thing. With bare knuckle, a man versus a man, let it all end there in the coliseum, the Conor-seum. Let’s make it happen, that little scurrying rat.”
McGregor, who laughed throughout, responded with one of his most iconic press conference lines.
“It sounds like I’m talking, who the f*** is that? Who the f*** is that guy?”
Conor McGregor Slams Khabib Nurmagomedov Over Financial Reports
After taking a moment to laugh about the impression, McGregor did answer the question to some degree about the former UFC lightweight champion who has recently been in the news over financial issues with the Russian government.
“The Notorious” spoke about how Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA, let alone stepping into bare knuckle which, as McGregor said himself, requires a certain type of person and mindset.
“The guy won’t even fight, come on. The one thing that really attracts me to this game is these are bad men and women here in this f****** company, for real, these are bad men and women. You’ve got to be, you’re all talking about cutting each other up. A jab splits the skin in this game so the stakes are on another level, the intensity is on another level and again, it’s what drew me to this.
“The Russian who, he’s not even a Russian, he doesn’t represent Russia. He owes his b*******, he’s gone running. I’d love to fight one of these m************ in bare knuckle but they won’t fight so.”
McGregor did say during the press conference that with two fights left on his UFC contract, competing in BKFC at a later date is something that he is interested in.
When Khabib Nurmagomedov made the decision to retire on top of the sport in 2020, there was always going to be talk of what could possibly bring him back.
“The Eagle” never had the same motivations as most other fighters, and his decision to retire after his title defense over Justin Gaethje wasn’t something that was a big long term plan.
The passing of his father and coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov meant that Khabib would step away following a promise to his mother despite being just one win away from the coveted 30-0 that his father wanted to achieve.
Regardless of recent reports regarding his financial situation, money was never the aim for the undefeated lightweight king, and it certainly appears that the UFC already tried this option.
Chael Sonnen believes that we could have seen Nurmagomedov back inside the Octagon if the promotion had switched tact with him…
Sonnen: UFC Should Have Offered Khabib Fights At A Different Weight Rather Than Increased Money
During a recent YouTube video, Sonnen suggested that the UFC was wasting its time by attempting to offer Nurmagomedov more money to continue fighting.
As he recalls, the promotion tried to keep him around to at least hit the 30-0 mark but “The Eagle” has proven to be a man of his word.
In Sonnen’s opinion, the financial figure wasn’t the number that they should have been offering the all-time great 155-pound fighter. He believes discussions about competing in a different weight class would have been a much more effective way to entice Nurmagomedov back for one last dance.
“I have maintained for you that when those negotiations were going on and they were attempting to change numbers, they were changing the wrong number,” Sonnen said. “The same reason that 30-0 became 29-0. It wasn’t commas and zeros. It was the weight class.
“If they would have had one more, sat him down, and really negotiated, and made it 170 pounds, you would have seen Khabib fight or at least, you’d have been a lot more likely,” Sonnen added.
The champion never had particularly easy weight cuts, and if you look at his entire career, competing outside the lightweight division is one of the only boxes that he never checked off.
Jon Anik recently remarked that Khabib Nurmagomedov reigns supreme in the world of combat sports as a truly irreplaceable fighter, citing the former UFC lightweight champion’s unparalleled fighting style and unyielding mindset.
“The Eagle” soared through the annals of UFC history with a career that was nothing short of extraordinary. Widely regarded as arguably the greatest MMA grappler ever, his legacy is cemented by an impeccable fight record that speaks volumes to his unmatched Octagon prowess.
Despite stepping away from the Octagon, Nurmagomedov continues to captivate a legion of die-hard fans and remains a constant presence on every list of GOAT MMA fighters. UFC play-by-play commentator Anik firmly believes that “The Eagle” is truly one of a kind…
Anik Confident No One Can Rival Nurmagomedov’s Mentality
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Anik was posed the question of which fighter’s greatness is irreplaceable. The 46-year-old UFC broadcaster responded by highlighting Nurmagomedov, praising his unparalleled combat technique and indomitable spirit as qualities no other fighter could ever match.
“I think Khabib Nurmagomedov had a uniqueness to him,” Anik said. “And I think a lot of that is rooted in his mentality, but even just in terms of not wanting to maybe hurt Justin Gaethje or the way he would talk to his opponents in a different way than Kevin Holland would.”
Anik further noted that while many former UFC champions, such as Daniel Cormier, Demetrious Johnson, and Dominick Cruz, possessed their own distinctive and superior fighting attributes, none could compare to the exceptional prowess of “The Eagle”.
“My guy Daniel Cormier, I think, is supremely underrated in terms of his ability to inflict and impose his wrestling and his rear naked choke on really world-class fighters. But I guess Khabib’s that comes to mind… All roads eventually for me lead to Khabib.”
After things appeared to be going quiet on that front, the latest update says completely the opposite as things are becoming increasingly severe.
Russian media platform MASH have now reported that Nurmagomedov has had all of his bank accounts seized by the Russian tax authorities.
This is due to him reportedly being in debt which equates to over 3 million US dollars.
Nurmagomedov’s team had denied the claims at first but there is no official statement as yet in response to the latest details.
MMA Fans React To Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Reported Financial Troubles
MMA fans reacted on social media to the newest updates regarding Nurmagomedov’s financial issues with the Russian tax authorities.
The name of the former UFC lightweight champion has also been in the news due to a terrorist being identified as someone that once trained in the same Dagestani gym.
As several replies to the news showed, many were waiting for Conor McGregor’s reaction which surely wouldn’t take long to come through on social media.
Whilst McGregor didn’t say anything on this latest update, he did repost the following video on social media in response.
Daniel Cormier believes that Islam Makhachev benefitted massively from the return of Khabib Nurmagomedov to his corner at UFC 302.
The former lightweight champion has been away from the spotlight for some time after stating that he didn’t want to take away from his fighters and planned to spend more time with his family.
However, coach Khabib was back at UFC 302 this past weekend and played a very important role in the main event.
Daniel Cormier Speaks On Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Influence On Islam Makhachev From The Corner
During his immediate post-event reactions from cageside, Cormier recapped the main event on his YouTube channel.
The UFC commentator spoke about how Nurmagomedov’s return to the corner was specifically significant for this particular fight because of the way it played out. He says that for all the success Makhachev had with his striking, it was the former champion who constantly told him to not get carried away and to look for takedowns.
It was “father’s plan” in full effect, and Cormier isn’t sure whether anyone else could have broken through to Makhachev quite like “The Eagle” did.
“You know what’s very important to me was having Khabib back in his corner for a fight that proved to be much more difficult than they anticipated,” Cormier said. “After the third round, guys, they didn’t show it on the TV, Khabib storms the Octagon, gets right in Islam’s face, because you saw Dustin kind of tell him, ‘Let’s go! let’s go m***********!’ And Islam’s like, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ He didn’t say m*********** because then they would have started fighting, but he said, ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’
“Islam was like, ‘Okay,’ and Khabib told him, ‘No, when that happens, you need to take him down, it’s too risky to be standing in front of him.’ It was awesome because I don’t know who can relate or relay that message to him more effectively than Khabib Nurmagomedov.”
As pointed out on commentary during the main event, “The Eagle” was incredibly animated during some of the rounds after Makhachev showed a willingness to stand and strike with Poirier.
Though the champion got the better of many of the exchanges, boxing with “The Diamond” was always going to be the best chance that the challenger had to win the fight.
Mendez Says Khabib’s Passion Led To Corner Receiving Multiple Warnings From The Commission
During his podcast, coach Javier Mendez recapped the fight and how he felt Makhachev performed in Newark.
The AKA head coach stated that the commission in New Jersey were constantly warning their corner to settle down due to Nurmagomedov’s actions during the fight where he repeatedly called for Makhachev to initiate the grappling.
It has been a while since the former champion was working the corner and Mendez said that he forgot just how passionate “The Eagle” gets when he’s coaching his fighters.
“I had Khabib in the corner going crazy on me. Like, I forgot how crazy he is in the corner, so nuts man. I’m like, I’m trying to calm him down and say hey, don’t worry, don’t worry, just scream loud but, ‘No coach, I have…’ but that’s his style, that’s his dad’s style, that’s his style. But I’m trying to get him to settle down a little bit, so the commission kept yelling at us, ‘Sit down! Sit down! Sit down!’ And it almost reminded me of the old style. But Khabib’s an unbelievable corner, he gives unbelievable advice.”
The first finish of the night at UFC 302 came courtesy of Jailton Almeida who made quick work of Alexandr Romanov.
“Malhadinho” bounced back in style from his tough loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299 which ended his undefeated streak inside the Octagon.
Following prior complaints in some of his fights regarding not actively seeking a finish, Almeida didn’t take long before locking in the rear-naked choke after securing an early takedown.
After Romanov attempted to get back to his feet, the choke was locked in and the tap came soon after to break a run of decisions on the card.
Almeida said in his post-fight interview that he saw the scorecards roll in whilst backstage, and was looking to finish the fight as soon as possible.
MMA Fans React To Jailton Almeida Breaking Decision Streak At UFC 302 With First-Round Sub
Due to the criticism that Almeida has faced in the past, particularly for his 25-minute domination over Derrick Lewis, MMA fans were stunned to see the first finish of the night come from the Brazilian.
The reactions poured in on social media, with some hoping that it would be the first of many finishes in Newark.
In his post-fight interview, Almeida called to face Ciryl Gane in a fight that would make a lot of sense for the headliner spot in Paris in September.
The irony of Almeida getting the first finish of the night is hilarious 😂😂😂 #UFC302
It was always going to be a tall order for Islam Makhachev to live up to what Khabib Nurmagomedov was able to accomplish in the UFC. However since “The Eagle” retired with his undefeated record intact, Makhachev at three years younger has started to take over at 155 pounds.
Despite coming from the same area, team, and dominating style of wrestling, there are some clear differences between the two men…
Adesanya Says Makhachev Is A Better Striker, But Khabib Was A ‘Savage’
Potentially due to being the younger of the two, Makhachev has been able to advance his game further than Nurmagomedov in the eyes of some.
Many point to him being a much better and more natural striker than the former champion, as echoed by Israel Adesanya in his recent breakdown video of Saturday night’s event.
Despite the improvements that the current titleholder has made in this area, Adesanya also pointed out that there was something that Nurmagomedov had that made him special.
“I think he’s got better striking than Khabib, but he’s not as — Khabib was just a savage, bro. He was a crazy man, it’s different. He’s just a mauler,” Adesanya said. “What was the one I watched live? (Edson) Barboza, that one. When I saw that live and the pace he put on him, even after eating the wheel kick… that was scary to watch.
“Makhachev is more clean, more polished, even more dynamic than Khabib,” Adesanya continued. “But yeah, if I’m going to put money on this fight, I’m going to go Islam Makhachev, but look, my heart tells me I want Dustin (Poirier) to win.”
“Malhadinho” is in need of regaining some of the hype he entered 2024 with as a fighter yet to taste defeat inside the UFC Octagon. Those who touted the Brazilian for championship success at heavyweight had to hold their horses after Curtis Blaydes hammer-fisted his way to a TKO win at UFC 299 this past March.
Having escaped relatively unscathed, Almeida pursued a quick turnaround so that he can go someway to righting the wrongs from his unsuccessful outing in Miami. He gets the chance on June 1 when he shares a lineup with some major names again.
Among them is lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev, who will have the great Khabib Nurmagomedov back in his corner for the UFC 302 main event. And it seems “The Eagle’s” presence in “Brick City” has benefitted Almeida…
Almeida ‘Absorbed’ Tips From Khabib Ahead Of UFC 302
During his appearance at UFC 302 media day on Wednesday, Almeida looked ahead to his upcoming assignment and briefly turned his attention to the man around whom the card was built.
After noting his positive thoughts on both Makhachev and his team, the Brazilian heavyweight revealed he crossed paths with and received some advice from the champ’s mentor, Khabib.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Makhachev. As everyone knows, I’m a fan of that school. I’m a fan of that style,” Almeida said. “I’m a huge Khabib fan. I crossed paths with him doing some training and I really got emotional about it. (He’s) just somebody I’ve always admired.
“I actually found out that he watched my fights and had some comments on my fight. So, I was just there absorbing all the tips, and the fact that he actually watched my fights, and I’ve watched him train as well, so I saw some things,” Almeida added
Almeida has been criticized in recent times for his grappling approach, most notably following a lackluster five-round contest with Derrick Lewis last November. During it, “Malhadinho” amassed heavy control time but neither inflicted heavy damage on “The Black Beast” nor attempted submissions.
Given that Khabib thrived in that regard on the ground, perhaps “The Eagle” provided some encouraging words that could bring Almeida back to his finishing ways at UFC 302.
Islam Makhachev returns to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 302 to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier.
When Khabib Nurmagomedov vacated the title and chose to retire, it was hard to imagine how Makhachev was going to live up to his close friend and teammate’s legacy by picking up the mantle.
With two title defenses under his belt now, even if both were against a featherweight moving up, people are now starting to question how far the current champion is away from surpassing the legacy of his coach.
Islam Makhachev Is Starting To Separate Himself By Moving Up The Record Books
Beating Poirier on Saturday night will see Makhachev tie Nurmagomedov at three title defenses. More importantly, he will surpass his winning streak.
The likes of Makhachev, Nurmagomedov, Max Holloway, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Demetrious Johnson have all managed to win 13 fights in a row inside the Octagon.
One more win will push the current 155-pound king away from the rest of the pack into third place for all-time winning streaks behind Kamaru Usman and Anderson Silva.
According to Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez, he could overtake the former champion for one other record as well.
“I believe he might very well pass it yeah but he also will pass another record, the most wins when you’re favored,” Mendez said on his podcast. “He’s got 15, they’re tied at 15. Since [the] UFC when you’re favored to win, you win, so if he wins this one, it’ll be 16 wins so he’ll be the leader in that department. I have a feeling before he’s done, he’s going to have a few records added to his arsenal of accomplishments because you know, this guy, he’s silent but he’s very progressive, he keeps advancing.”
UFC 302 title challenger Dustin Poirier is under no illusion about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s superiority on the night of September 7, 2019.
Poirier is currently days away from his third crack at reaching the undisputed lightweight throne on MMA’s biggest stage, He’s set to challenge the reign of Islam Makhachev in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view.
Inside Newark’s Prudential Center, “The Diamond” will look to avoid falling to the fate he did opposite Khabib in 2019 and Charles Oliveira two years later. In both the unification showdown with the Dagestani and title bid against the Brazilian, Poirier was submitted in round three.
While the results read almost exactly the same on paper, the Louisianan fan favorite looks back on them very differently…
Poirier Acknowlegdes He Wasn’t Ready To Handle Khabib’s Skills In 2019 Title Shot
During a recent fight week interview with ESPN MMA, Poirier previewed what could serve as both his final championship opportunity and last fight overall as an active competitor in the Octagon.
When assessing his previous title failures, “The Diamond” was asked whether he regrets certain moments in his defeats to “The Eagle” and “Do Bronx” in Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas, respectively.
“The Khabib fight, not really,” Poirier said. “Obviously I wish I would have performed better and won. But I was just outmatched, outgunned. I can say that honestly with where I’m at with my life and in fighting. I’m comfortable with saying that. I just wasn’t prepared the way I needed to be for what he was bringing.
“In the Charles fight, there’s more things that I look back at and say, ‘Damn, I shouldn’t have done that… I wish that didn’t happen,’” Poirier continued. “Yeah (mystique played a part against Khabib). I felt that the first time I fought Conor (McGregor) as well. I think I’m past that, the aura of people… fighting not only the person, but the crowd, the media, the critics. I don’t have that anymore. I’m fighting Islam.”
Following Saturday night, Poirier will be hoping to look back on his third chance at achieving undisputed champ status more positively.
For the first time since his title crowning in 2022, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance on fight night.
Makhachev was long touted as a sure-fire successor to his mentor upon “The Eagle’s” retirement from active competition following a third successful defense of the 155-pound gold back in 2020.
And the Dagestani completed the journey laid out for him by his coaches and teammates with Khabib close by, submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. That began the reign of Makhachev, but it also signaled the end of something.
Months later, as Makhachev prepared to meet a test from below in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib announced that he would be stepping back from cornering members of his team.
While he’s remained visible in some fight camps and has still lent a helping hand, the Russian legend has stayed true to his words and not appeared in a corner since.
“News, ‘Eagle’ is landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told UFC cameras during fight week. “He’s gonna be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner (coaches), brother, friend.”
There are some, though, who predict that Khabib’s presence inside the Prudential Center on fight night will spur the underdog on and provide added motivation. Only time will tell…
It’s over for The Diamond 💎 Great career but time to hang it up! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
With Khabib in his corner, Islam’s attributes are easily multiplied by 100. Islam can end this fight any way he wants, Dustin still an all time great tho. #UFC302https://t.co/MvNL6mEwx1
My homies know I’ve been wanting Khabib back in Islams corner since last year… but the timing of this considering he’s fighting Dustin next has me like 🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/iVKHWfaoBq
And since submitting Charles Oliveira to be crowned champ in Abu Dhabi, the Dagestani has enhanced his legacy and cemented his reign with a pair of successful defenses against now-former featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski.
Such a feat would no doubt only increase the comparisons between “The Eagle” and his title-holding protégé. But not everyone is waiting for Makhachev to surpass his mentor before branding him superior…
Bisping Compares Makhachev & Khabib: ‘Look At The KO Of Volkanovski…’
During the Preview Show for UFC 302 on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Bisping assessed Makhachev’s divisional rule to date and the champ’s ever-developing skillset.
Pointing to the Dagestani’s renowned grappling game and always-improving striking, which he used to finish Volkanovski in one round last October, “The Count” suggested that Makhachev’s overall ability has already cleared that of Khabib.
“Khabib came first and he’ll always be remembered for that, for what he did to the sport, how he represented Dagestan, and implemented that style. It took over the sport, let’s be honest,” Bisping said. “But his time has gone. It has passed… Islam is a new, improved version.
“Look at the head kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. He’s much, much smoother on the feet. His grappling’s just as good as Khabib’s, or it’s certainly up there,” Bisping continued. “He’s really moulding into this champion. He feels it. He walks and talks with a certain bravado and assurance that comes not from confidence or ego, it comes from knowing what he’s capable of.”
Makhachev will have the chance to further prove his talent in the main event of Saturday’s numbered event in Newark, where he’s tasked with defeating Poirier — a feat achieved by Khabib via submission back in 2019.
UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan claims the majority of Russians picked Tony Ferguson to upend Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Octagon.
Tsarukyan has been on a tear with five-straight wins in the UFC. He earned a brutal TKO finish over Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 49 to continue his climb up the lightweight rankings.
While Tsarukyan has proven to be a real factor at 155 pounds, he has arguably yet to earn a signature big-name win on his record. His lone defeat came against Islam Makhachev in April 2019.
Arman Tsarukyan Says Tony Ferguson Has A Lot Of Support, But Can’t Beat Khabib
During a past media scrum, Tsarukyan gave his thoughts on the seemingly cursed Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov matchup. The two were once considered the best lightweights in the world and a very intriguing stylistic matchup.
Many believed that Ferguson had the tools to give Khabib trouble wherever the fight would go, including on the mat. And apparently, the majority of Russians thought so as well.
“I don’t think so,” Tsarukyan said when asked about Ferguson’s chances against Nurmagomedov. “But, you know, I live in Russia … UFC is I think number one sport. Everyone, like, watch UFC, and like 70% said Tony Ferguson was going to win—I don’t know why. Tony Ferguson really, like, he has a lot of fans in Russia.”
Ferguson and Nurmagomedov were supposed to fight on numerous occasions during their respective careers, but the bout constantly fell through. Nurmagomedov retired following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Ferguson is looking to get back in the win column after losses to Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush. He hasn’t won since his finish doctor’s stoppage victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 238. He is currently scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 274.
Do you believe Arman Tsarukyan Do you think most Russians picked Tony Ferguson to beat Khabib?
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Georges St-Pierre had lost his hunger to compete even before he held middleweight gold.
Khabib and GSP are two of the consensus frontrunners in the debate over who holds the crown as the greatest of all time. But while they have that in common, they also share another similarity: retiring on top.
While “The Eagle” hung up his gloves from his place atop the lightweight mountain following his victory over Justin Gaethje in 2020, “Rush” called time on his career early in 2019 having not competed since his middleweight title win against Michael Bisping two years prior.
St-Pierre retired with a 26-2 record, having not been beaten in 13 fights since his shock defeat to Matt Serra in 2007. Across the decade after his final blemish, he held titles in two weight classes, defeated the likes of BJ Penn, Thiago Alves, Carlos Condit, and Nick Diaz, and defended the 170-pound belt a record nine times.
The Dagestani suggested that when he was in his own prime, GSP was long past his. And despite the fact “Rush” returned from a previous lengthy hiatus to win the middleweight strap in 2017, Khabib believes it was clear St-Pierre’s hunger was gone during his controversial 2013 victory over Johny Hendricks.
“When I was on top, when it was my prime time, it was not his prime time. When did he finish? ’12, ’13? After four years he came back, fight only with Michael Bisping. Last, almost 10 years, I think his time is finished,” said Khabib. “My opinion is his prime time was like 2010, ’11, ’12, but ’13 it was not his time.
“Even when he fight Johny Hendricks. On this time, I feel he’s not enjoying (being) inside the cage. He’s not hungry anymore. I don’t know about his feeling, this is what I feel. For this sport, you have to be hungry. If you’re not hungry, if you don’t want this, you have to finish,” Khabib concluded.
Khabib Nurmagomedov & Georges St-Pierre.
The only two fighters to retire at the very top of the sport.
Respect is the foundation of martial arts and both of them valued this.
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will headline the UFC Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 following his legendary career.
Nurmagomedov retired from MMA following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. He retired as arguably the greatest lightweight champion in UFC history and is also in the conversation as the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
Nurmagomedov left the fight game with a 29-0 professional record, beating the likes of Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Conor McGregor during his run. He made his UFC debut back in 2012 against Kamal Shalorus, earning a third-round submission victory.
Nurmagomedov has paved the way for Dagestan fighters to find success in MMA. This includes top contenders such as Islam Makhachev, who appears to be just one win away from a lightweight title shot.
UFC President Dana White attempted to lure Nurmagomedov out of retirement last year for a potential matchup with former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Nurmagomedov declined the offer and seems committed to his decision to remain retired.
Nurmagomedov still remains a massive part of the MMA community as a coach and was most recently spotted at UFC 272 cornering a number of fighters. He also is a promoter of Eagle FC, which recently signed former UFC fighters such as Rashad Evans and Kevin Lee.
UFC President Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov have reacted to the recent arrest of former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
Velasquez, who hasn’t competed in the Octagon since a 2019 defeat to Francis Ngannou, was arrested on Monday following a shooting incident in California. The 39-year-old reportedly pursued and attempted to shoot 43-year-old Harry Eugene Goularte, who is accused of molesting an underage relative of Velasquez.
After shooting and injuring a 63-year-old man, believed to be Goularte’s stepfather, Velasquez was incarcerated and held on numerous charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a firearm, shooting at a motor vehicle, and willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle.
Content warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing for some readers.
Cain Velasquez has been charged. He is accused of targeting Harry Eugene Goularte, who is charged with allegedly molesting one of Velasquez's young relatives.
As the facts and context behind the incident have emerged in recent days, a number of fighters and influential individuals in the MMA and UFC community have sent messages of support for the former elite heavyweight.
Now, the promotion’s top man Dana White has addressed the incident, describing his former champion’s response to Goularte’s alleged crime as something “we all say we’d do.”
“I obviously feel sorry for him and his family,” White said in an interview with Barstool Sports. “It’s a horrible thing. I don’t know enough details to speak on it, but from what I’ve heard—we all say we’d do it if it ever happened to us. Cain did it.”
Khabib Sends Support To Long-time AKA Teammate Velasquez
Velasquez, who remains in custody awaiting arraignment after being denied bail, also received support from one of his long-time teammates and fellow former UFC titleholders.
Having trained alongside the Californian at the famed American Kickboxing Academy, Khabib, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, has spent a lot of time with Velasquez and experienced the veteran’s character.
Taking to Instagram, “The Eagle” assured Velasquez that the entire AKA team will always be with him, signing off with the hashtag, “#weareAKA.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CanZVpsBZ6U/
“You are the man Cain. We love you and we always stay with you. @officialcainvelasquez #weareAKA”
As the incident continues to develop and the facts emerge, it’s clear how serious the situation is. If found guilty, Velasquez will be facing between 20 years and life in prison.
Velasquez’s fate is set to become more clear in the coming days and following his court appearance.
What was your reaction to Cain Velasquez’s arrest?
