Khabib Nurmagomedov may have been a dominant force in the UFC, but even the most formidable champions have their own weaknesses. And for Khabib, that weakness was revealed by none other than his own coach and mentor, Mike Swick.
Swick, who is the owner of AKA Thailand, recently opened up about Khabib’s toughest training battles. And surprisingly, it wasn’t any of the well-known UFC fighters that gave Khabib a run for his money. It was his own protege, Islam Makhachev, who managed to trouble the undefeated champion in training.
Makhachev, a rising star in the UFC lightweight division, has been a part of Khabib’s inner circle since the beginning of his career. The two share a close bond, with Khabib even referring to Makhachev as his “brother” and “student.” But behind closed doors, the two have been engaged in intense training sessions that have pushed both fighters to their limits.
Swick revealed that Makhachev’s style and skill set were the perfect match for Khabib’s, making him the only fighter who could truly challenge the champion in training. He said, “Islam is one of the few guys that can give Khabib a hard time in training. They’re both very similar, they’re both very tough, they’re both very strong. They’re both very good wrestlers.”
The AKA Thailand owner also added that Makhachev’s relentless pressure and grappling abilities were what made him stand out in the gym. He explained, “Islam is just a beast, he’s so tough. He’s a great wrestler, he’s got great grappling. He’s just not going to stop. He’s going to keep coming at you, and he’s going to keep trying to take you down.”
It’s no surprise that Khabib and Makhachev have such similar fighting styles, considering they both come from the same region of Dagestan in Russia. They have both been trained in the art of Sambo, a Russian martial art that focuses on grappling and submission techniques.
But despite their similarities, Khabib has always maintained his dominance over Makhachev in the Octagon. The two have never faced each other in a professional fight, as Khabib has always been in a higher weight class. However, Makhachev has been making a name for himself in the UFC, with an impressive record of 19 wins and only one loss.
Makhachev’s latest victory over Drew Dober at UFC 259 has put him on the radar of many UFC fans, with some even calling for a potential fight between him and Khabib’s arch-nemesis, Conor McGregor. But for now, Makhachev remains focused on climbing the ranks in the lightweight division, and perhaps one day, challenging his mentor and “brother” for the title.
Khabib’s dominance in the UFC has been unparalleled, with a perfect record of 29-0. But as Swick revealed, even the greatest champions have their own challenges, and for Khabib, it was his own protege who pushed him to be the best version of himself. And with Makhachev’s rising star in the UFC, it’s clear that the legacy of Dagestani fighters will continue to live on in the Octagon.
In conclusion, Khabib Nurmagomedov may have retired from the UFC, but his legacy and influence continue to live on. And with fighters like Islam Makhachev carrying on his legacy, it’s safe to say that the future of the UFC lightweight division is in good hands.