Tag: Islam Makhachev

Hooker On Makhachev Fight: “I Can KO or Submit Any Man In the World”

Dan Hooker isn’t letting Islam Makhachev’s mystique shake him.  With 31 professional fights to his name, there isn’t much that Hooker hasn’t come across in the cage. It’s this experience that leads “The Hangman” to be confident heading into his UFC 267 bout against Makhachev. It also means that he won’t be mentally beaten before […]

Continue Reading Hooker On Makhachev Fight: “I Can KO or Submit Any Man In the World” at MMA News.

Dan Hooker isn’t letting Islam Makhachev’s mystique shake him. 

With 31 professional fights to his name, there isn’t much that Hooker hasn’t come across in the cage. It’s this experience that leads “The Hangman” to be confident heading into his UFC 267 bout against Makhachev. It also means that he won’t be mentally beaten before making the Octagon walk later this month. Hooker elaborated on his mindset in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

“To me, any fight is a 50–50 contest,” Hooker says. “I know full well that I could submit any man in this world, or that I could knock out any man in this world. Now he’s got a lot going on; he created a lot of momentum. A lot of guys are beaten before they even step into the Octagon with him, but that’s something that won’t happen with me. I’m too experienced; I’ve been in the fight realm and these dogfights. My fans and I both know he’s in for a fight, and that’s a fact.”

Dan Hooker
A victorious Dan Hooker. Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Aside from being one-punch KO’d in his second UFC appearance, Makhachev has looked all but perfect on fight nights. He is currently on an eight fight win streak and was last seen submitting Thiago Moises in July. 

In Hooker’s last contest, he took a unanimous decision over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266. When the news broke that Rafael dos Anjos had to back out, Hooker stepped up and accepted the match with Makhachev. Taking the bout meant that Hooker would have to stay in America due to New Zealand’s strict COVID-19 policies. 

So, not only is Hooker fighting one of the hottest fighters in the sport, he’s going weeks without seeing his family and normal training partners ahead of the bout. 

Who do you see winning between Dan Hooker and Islam Makhachev at UFC 267?

Continue Reading Hooker On Makhachev Fight: “I Can KO or Submit Any Man In the World” at MMA News.

Hooker: “I’m Not Scared Of Khabib, Why Would I Be Scared Of Islam?”

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has laughed off Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent comments about his upcoming fight with Islam Makhachev. Hooker was in action at UFC 266 last month. At the September pay-per-view, “The Hangman” faced Nasrat Haqparast on the preliminary card. The New Zealander was looking to rebound following consecutive losses to top contenders Dustin […]

Continue Reading Hooker: “I’m Not Scared Of Khabib, Why Would I Be Scared Of Islam?” at MMA News.

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has laughed off Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent comments about his upcoming fight with Islam Makhachev.

Hooker was in action at UFC 266 last month. At the September pay-per-view, “The Hangman” faced Nasrat Haqparast on the preliminary card. The New Zealander was looking to rebound following consecutive losses to top contenders Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler in his previous two outings.

After three rounds of action, Hooker successfully returned to the win column with a comfortable unanimous decision. In a smart performance, the #6-ranked lightweight, who’s been involved in several all-out brawls in the UFC in the past, utilized his grappling against his German opponent.

Hooker had some difficult weeks leading up to the September 25 event. He clashed with New Zealand police over his inability to train in his own empty gym due to lockdown rules, and had a late struggle to secure a visa that led to him arriving in Vegas just one day before weigh-ins. With that in mind, most understandably expected the 31-year-old to rest and recuperate off the back of a hectic month.

However, that’s just not how Hooker does things. Mere days out from his clash with Haqparast, “The Hangman” accepted a short-notice fight against rapidly surging top-five contender Islam Makhachev. The opportunity for Hooker to do so came after the Russian’s rival Rafael dos Anjos withdrew through injury.

While Hooker is confident in his chances at having his hand raised, says he won’t bring any short-notice excuses into the fight, legendary former 155-pound champ Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t giving him much of a chance at UFC 267. “The Eagle,” who is Makhachev’s friend and teammate, claimed that, barring a lucky punch, there’s a 99% chance that his Dagestani compatriot “mauls” the New Zealander.

Hooker responded to Khabib’s comments during a recent interview with It’s Time For Sports. “The Hangman” said he isn’t scared of him or Makhachev, and suggested the claim that any man has a 99% chance at beating him in a cage is “laughable.”

“I’m not scared of Khabib, why would I be scared of Islam. That really surprises me. If they came to me and they said, ‘You wanna fight Khabib in four weeks?’ I would take that fight in a heartbeat. I took this fight in a sentence, I thought about it for about five seconds. It would take me one second to accept that fight with Khabib. So, you feel like his word carries any weight, that’s just not true. 99%, there’s not a man on this planet that is 99%, 99/1 against me inside the cage. That’s just laughable.”

What did you make of Khabib’s comments? Is a 99% chance of victory for Islam Makhachev against Dan Hooker accurate?

Continue Reading Hooker: “I’m Not Scared Of Khabib, Why Would I Be Scared Of Islam?” at MMA News.

Khabib & Makhachev’s Manager Believes Islam Has More Tools

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makahchev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes the current top-five lightweight has more tools to utilize than “The Eagle” did. Khabib, who is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, retired from the sport following his victory over Justin Gaethje last October. In the UFC 254 main event, the […]

Continue Reading Khabib & Makhachev’s Manager Believes Islam Has More Tools at MMA News.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makahchev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes the current top-five lightweight has more tools to utilize than “The Eagle” did.

Khabib, who is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, retired from the sport following his victory over Justin Gaethje last October. In the UFC 254 main event, the Dagestani successfully defended his UFC lightweight gold by putting “The Highlight” to sleep with a second-round triangle choke.

Prior to calling an end to his unblemished 29-0 career in the cage, Khabib had also retained his title with submission victories over #1-ranked contender Dustin Poirier and former two-division champion Conor McGregor.

Since Khabib’s departure from active competition, one man has been hailed as the heir to the great Russian’s throne. That individual is the former champ’s friend and teammate Islam Makhachev. The 30-year-old boasts victories over Drew Dober and Thiago Moises in 2021. His victory over the Brazilian in the UFC Vegas 31 main event saw him climb into the lightweight top-five in July.

While many believe he can replicate Khabib’s championship success, Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both men, believes he could go further. During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, the Dominance MMA CEO suggested Makhachev has more tools than “The Eagle” inside the Octagon.

“I’ve seen Islam, for the last seven years, training with Luke Rockhold, with DC [Daniel Cormier], and beating some of these guys. I’m talking about a lightweight division guy beating these guys. Skill level, I think if you compare Khabib and Islam, I think Islam’s got more tools, a lot more tools. And he’s the guy, like Kamaru [Usman], nobody wanted to fight Kamaru for a long time. Nobody wanted to fight Khabib for a long time… people don’t even want to mention his [Makhachev’s] name.”

Abdelaziz went on to describe what it’s like to train with Makhachev compared to with Khabib and UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. According to the manager, the #5-ranked lightweight contender is the only one who didn’t let him breathe.

“He’s the last guy I want to train with. I hate training with him, and I train with some of the best guys. I’m not saying I’m anything good. But he’s the worst guy to train with. He beats your ass, pole to pole, minute to minute, second to second. Khabib will let you breath a little, Kamaru will let you breathe, this guy doesn’t let you breathe. He is one of the best competitors I ever trained with.”

Makhachev will have the chance to prove Abdelaziz right when he returns to the Octagon later this month. The Russian was initially set to face long-time rival Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267. Following the Brazilian’s withdrawal due to injury, Dan Hooker has stepped up on short notice. The New Zealander accepted the Abu Dhabi clash just days out from his victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 last month.

If Makhachev defeats “The Hangman,” he will have secured three triumphs this year and will certainly move a big step closer to the 155-pound gold. Beyond that, his quest to match Khabib’s legacy will continue.

Do you think Islam Makhachev can surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy inside the Octagon?

Continue Reading Khabib & Makhachev’s Manager Believes Islam Has More Tools at MMA News.

Khabib & Makhachev’s Manager Believes Islam Has More Tools

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makahchev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes the current top-five lightweight has more tools to utilize than “The Eagle” did. Khabib, who is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, retired from the sport following his victory over Justin Gaethje last October. In the UFC 254 main event, the […]

Continue Reading Khabib & Makhachev’s Manager Believes Islam Has More Tools at MMA News.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makahchev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes the current top-five lightweight has more tools to utilize than “The Eagle” did.

Khabib, who is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, retired from the sport following his victory over Justin Gaethje last October. In the UFC 254 main event, the Dagestani successfully defended his UFC lightweight gold by putting “The Highlight” to sleep with a second-round triangle choke.

Prior to calling an end to his unblemished 29-0 career in the cage, Khabib had also retained his title with submission victories over #1-ranked contender Dustin Poirier and former two-division champion Conor McGregor.

Since Khabib’s departure from active competition, one man has been hailed as the heir to the great Russian’s throne. That individual is the former champ’s friend and teammate Islam Makhachev. The 30-year-old boasts victories over Drew Dober and Thiago Moises in 2021. His victory over the Brazilian in the UFC Vegas 31 main event saw him climb into the lightweight top-five in July.

While many believe he can replicate Khabib’s championship success, Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both men, believes he could go further. During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, the Dominance MMA CEO suggested Makhachev has more tools than “The Eagle” inside the Octagon.

“I’ve seen Islam, for the last seven years, training with Luke Rockhold, with DC [Daniel Cormier], and beating some of these guys. I’m talking about a lightweight division guy beating these guys. Skill level, I think if you compare Khabib and Islam, I think Islam’s got more tools, a lot more tools. And he’s the guy, like Kamaru [Usman], nobody wanted to fight Kamaru for a long time. Nobody wanted to fight Khabib for a long time… people don’t even want to mention his [Makhachev’s] name.”

Abdelaziz went on to describe what it’s like to train with Makhachev compared to with Khabib and UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. According to the manager, the #5-ranked lightweight contender is the only one who didn’t let him breathe.

“He’s the last guy I want to train with. I hate training with him, and I train with some of the best guys. I’m not saying I’m anything good. But he’s the worst guy to train with. He beats your ass, pole to pole, minute to minute, second to second. Khabib will let you breath a little, Kamaru will let you breathe, this guy doesn’t let you breathe. He is one of the best competitors I ever trained with.”

Makhachev will have the chance to prove Abdelaziz right when he returns to the Octagon later this month. The Russian was initially set to face long-time rival Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267. Following the Brazilian’s withdrawal due to injury, Dan Hooker has stepped up on short notice. The New Zealander accepted the Abu Dhabi clash just days out from his victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 last month.

If Makhachev defeats “The Hangman,” he will have secured three triumphs this year and will certainly move a big step closer to the 155-pound gold. Beyond that, his quest to match Khabib’s legacy will continue.

Do you think Islam Makhachev can surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy inside the Octagon?

Continue Reading Khabib & Makhachev’s Manager Believes Islam Has More Tools at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev Goes Full Michael Jordan On Luke Rockhold

It’s always a good thing when your talent is compared to “His Airness” Michael Jordan, and Islam Makhachev says he earned such an honor in past AKA sparring sessions with Luke Rockhold. #5-ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev is currently the owner of an eight-fight winning streak with performances that have many people believing he has the […]

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Goes Full Michael Jordan On Luke Rockhold at MMA News.

It’s always a good thing when your talent is compared to “His Airness” Michael Jordan, and Islam Makhachev says he earned such an honor in past AKA sparring sessions with Luke Rockhold.

#5-ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev is currently the owner of an eight-fight winning streak with performances that have many people believing he has the makings of a future world champion. If this were to be uttered to anyone at AKA, it would be a case of preaching to the choir.

Those at AKA have consistently praised Makhachev’s skill level publicly. And according to a recent story from the man himself, one particular teammate has also heaped some heavy praise onto him behind closed doors. 

Islam Makhachev Claims He Ragdolled Luke Rockhold During Sparring

According to Makhachev, there was one specific incident where a teammate begrudgingly complimented him on his abilities after being thrown repeatedly by the Russian. And wouldn’t you know it, that man is none other than UFC middleweight Luke Rockhold.

“When [Rockhold] was preparing for the Machida fight, Machida was a southpaw. So I appeared to be the only southpaw in the gym at that moment. Luke is big compared to myself, but Javier [Mendez] asked me, ‘Islam, please have a couple of rounds with him. We need a southpaw.’ I always agreed,” Makhachev’s tale began in an interview with RT Sport.

“So we sparred a lot of times, and I don’t remember a single case where I failed to do a judo double-leg takedown on him. It was more than once or two, five, or ten times. Much more.”

Eventually, Rockhold had enough and was determined to put a stop to his embarrassment, but it only got worse.

“So he comes in for another sparring, gives me small gloves and says, ‘Today, you won’t throw me!’ So the sparring starts and I throw him again…” Makhachev continued with a smile. “And he is in the air, truly upset and already shouting loud. I don’t know. He has such long legs so maybe that’s why I always did it so easily.”

With reports of Khabib Nurmagomedov considering a crossover to soccer, we have made the comparison to Khabib & Michael Jordan: two men who retired at the top of their sport only to dabble in another. We classified Khabib’s soccer interest as going “full Michael Jordan.” But if you ask “Air Rockhold,” the Jordan comparison is more apt for Khabib’s successor, Islam Makhachev.

“Yes, he was really angry, and always very focused on our sparring, like, ‘You’re not going to do that today!’” Makhachev continued. “And then he said, ‘You are like Jordan in basketball in terms of those throws.’”

Are you surprised to hear this tale of UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev repeatedly throwing former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold around?

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Goes Full Michael Jordan On Luke Rockhold at MMA News.

Ali Abdelaziz: Conor McGregor Would Prefer Prison Over Fighting Islam Makhachev

Ali AbdelazizThe contentious relationship between Conor McGregor and Ali Abdelaziz hasn’t cooled enough at any time since the October 2018 fight between ‘Notorious’ and Khabib Nurmagomedov, whom Abdelaziz manages. Abdelaziz was asked by MMA Junkie about a potential fight between McGregor and Islam Makhachev. “At the end of the day, all these guys are gonna fight […]

Ali Abdelaziz

The contentious relationship between Conor McGregor and Ali Abdelaziz hasn’t cooled enough at any time since the October 2018 fight between ‘Notorious’ and Khabib Nurmagomedov, whom Abdelaziz manages.

Abdelaziz was asked by MMA Junkie about a potential fight between McGregor and Islam Makhachev.

“At the end of the day, all these guys are gonna fight each other… If Justin Gaethje wins, he’s gonna fight for the title… If Conor McGregor wanna get one more a**-whooping from the Dagestani mafia, we can give it to him, you know. Listen, at the the end of the day he’s still talking, he still insulted people, assaulted people. Still going to jail but listen, being locked in jail or being locked with Islam Makhachev?… I think he would choose jail,” Abdelaziz responded.

Makhachev is one the the brightest young stars in the sport, quickly ascending to the #5 ranking in the lightweight division and will be on display in a couple weeks at UFC 267 against Dan Hooker, who took the fight on short notice.

When asked about the state of the rivalry, Abdelaziz was adamant that this rivalry isn’t over and will continue for a long time:

“It’s not over, this [rivalry] will never be over. It can be on the street, in the hotel. Because some of the things he said and he never apologized for them. He insulted Khabib’s father, wife and family… But guess what, he’s irrelevant… Khabib took his soul and never gave it back, he’s a man living without a soul.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)

This rivalry obviously something personal for all involved and seems to be in a mode where there is no coming back. It will be interesting to see how this sentiment plays out.

How do you feel about the personal animosity between Conor McGregor and Ali Abdelaziz?