Khabib Nurmagomedov: “It’s his dream to make new champions”

Islam Makhachev dismissed talk of any competitive rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov as he prepares to face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322. He called those stories meaningless.

Makhachev has charted a distinct path, having defended the lightweight belt four times before moving up. Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, defended his throne three times during his dominance in the lightweight division.

But for Makhachev, the focus is not on the numbers. He views Nurmagomedov as family and their shared mission as part of a larger legacy started by Abdulmanap, their late coach. Speaking in a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Makhachev said:

“It’s a stupid question. He’s my brother… If he didn’t want me to break his record, he would never help me. He has been away from his family for two months. His dream is to make new champions in our gym. One day he told me that he does all this because if a guy becomes a champion, it changes the lives of many people around him. He told me: “It’s my dream to help people, and when I help someone, i can help their family, friends and everything the world around him. him. That’s why I don’t like answering questions about breaking Khabib’s record and all that.”

He added:

“It’s not a question I want to answer, like I broke Khabib’s record or something. It’s all about the legacy of Abdulmanap, our coach who is not with us right now. After ten or fifteen years, people will understand what he did for our country, for MMA, for the sport. Even now, new champions in other organizations train under his students. It has become a very big school. The only thing who What I miss is that he’s not in the cage with us when we win the title. belt. I think he’s proud of us.”

Check Islam MakhachevComments from below (4:30 p.m.):

Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Message Ahead of UFC 322

Islam Makhachev heads into UFC 322 with a clear plan from his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. The lightweight-turned-welterweight champion said Nurmagomedov asked him to take down Jack Della Maddalena and dominate on the ground.

Makhachev is confident in his wrestling abilities, which he believes will allow him to finish in submission. Speaking in the aforementioned interview with ESPN MMA, he said:

“It’s no secret. Take him down and tire him out there. I think I can finish him off on the ground and choke him, or give him an armbar or something, because I’ve seen his skills on the court. He’s good, but I have something more.”