Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in Islam Makhachevcorner in New Jersey this weekendtraining your childhood friend against Dustin Poirier at the UFC 302.
Makhachev will defend his lightweight belt in the main event, as he attempts a third successful title defense. Such a result would see the Russian equal with his childhood friend Khabib, who held the title three times before retiring undefeated and as champion in 2020.
After hanging up his gloves, Khabib spent time as a coach and guided Makhachev to lightweight title in 2022. The 35-year-old subsequently decided to stop training fighters, but will return to Makhachev’s corner on Saturday.
“It means a lot,” Makhachev said. “This is how [adding] to the 20 percent strike, to the 20 percent wrestling, to the plan. It’s always good to have Khabib in the corner, because I think he gives me good advice in a lot of fights.
“I remember with Gleison Tibau he told me to try to land the left hook; I did and finished him off. With [Dan] Hooker, he gave me really good advice when I submitted him with an armbar [kimura]. With the title fight, he gave me a lot of good advice.
“It’s always good to have Khabib in the corner. It’s not just for me. Good news, everyone was happy when Khabib said: ‘I’ll be in the corner’.
“I think No. 1, he missed the feeling. I think he was very nervous when [sat] in a room watching the fight. He always takes care of us, wants to help. That’s why he’s here.”
Poirier is an opponent Nurmagomedov knows well, having submitted the American in 2019 to remain champion. Poirier held the interim title at the time, and the fight marked his first shot at undisputed gold.
The “Diamante” also fell short against Charles Oliveira in 2021 and admits that Saturday could be his last chance to win the belt. In fact, Poirier hinted that he might retire regardless of the outcome.
“I hope not,” Makhachev said. “I think he is one of the biggest names in the sport. That’s why I respect him. I respect him because he has a lot of crazy fights in this sport.
“[I’d be] I’m happy to beat someone who has a big name like Dustin. Due to his legacy, he is perhaps the biggest name on my list.”
