Islam Makhachev | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a great coach, but he ‘needs some work’ on becoming a cornerman after UFC 302

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a great coach, but he 'needs some work' on becoming a cornerman after UFC 302 Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the…

Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport—but his skills as a cornerman could use some work.

‘The Eagle’ returned to Islam Makhachev’s corner at UFC 302, overseeing the Dagestani’s third successful defense of the lightweight world title via a fifth-round submission victory over division fan favorite Dustin Poirier. It marked the first time that Nurmagomedov was in his protege’s corner since he claimed the 155-pound crown against Charles Oliveira in October 2022.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez, Islam Makhachev

Working the corner with Nurmagomedov was renowned MMA coach and American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez, who helped coach both ‘The Eagle’ and Makhachev to the top of the lightweight division. Speaking with The Schmo following the events of UFC 302, Mendez revealed that while Nurmagomedov is a great game planner, he needs a bit more fine-tuning when it comes to cornering a fighter.

“Khabib’s actually becoming a great coach and a great cornerman – [but] he needs some work on the cornering,” Mendez said. “He’s great at game planning, he’s fantastic at game planning but we need to work a little bit on the cornering – just a little bit” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Mendez was able to expand on his comments during a follow-up interview with Helen Yee, revealing that Nurmagomedov’s biggest obstacle is his own excitement in the heat of the moment.

“He needs to master the corner though… We still need to work the corner because he goes a little crazy on there, up and down, slamming on the table – [I told him] ‘Calm down, calm down’. He gets really amped up,” Mendez added. “I mean he loves his fighters so much [as] his brothers that you know, he puts everything into that fight when he goes, I forgot what it was like to have him in the corner; it’s kind of crazy.”

Mendez Offered Khabib Nurmagomedov some advice on how to improve his corner work

Having coached a slew of MMA world champions, including Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, and Usman Nurmagomedov, ‘The Eagle’ would be wise to listen to any advice that Mendez has for him.

“I gave him instructions on ‘Hey, it’s okay to do what you need to do but just sit down, yell as loud as you can to get your fighters’ attention, you don’t have to hit the table, stand up and cause the commission to tell us to sit down,’ Mendez said.

“Scream as loud as you can – he goes ‘Coach, how am I going to reach him’, I go ‘Scream, scream as loud as you can’ but you’ve got to say things within reason because you got to listen the crowd, if the crowd’s screaming [too] then your fighter is going to hear nothing.”

With Makhachev’s win over Poirier, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will likely find himself squaring off with No. 1 ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan. No official announcements have been made, but ‘Ahalkalakets’ believes their long-awaited rematch will go down this October in Abu Dhabi or in November when the UFC heads back to the world’s most famous arena—Madison Square Garden.

Georges St-Pierre claims Islam Makhachev is the ‘Best pound-For-pound’ fighter after UFC 302

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the…

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Makhachev is coming off his third defense of his lightweight title as he scored a fifth-round submission over Dustin Poirier. After the win, there was a debate if he or Jon Jones was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. But, according to St-Pierre, he believes Makhachev is a top the list.

“He’s amazing,” St-Pierre said (via MMAFighting). “I think right now he’s the best pound-for-pound right now because of his last few performances. Just amazing. An amazing showcase of heart too, because he had a bad cut on his forehead, and Poirier gave him a tough time. Pushed the pace to the edge and I think that that fight is going to make Makhachev even better because these are the fights that make you grow.”

St-Pierre also thinks it will be a long time before Makhachev loses, if he ever does, as he calls the lightweight champ the best in the sport.

Dustin Poirier reflects on incredible squeeze from Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 it was like a vise grip — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“I think in terms of skill, Makhachev right now is the best fighter, but that doesn’t mean if you’re the best that you always win,” St-Pierre said. “There’s a lot of other factors outside of our control that can influence the result. But I think Makhachev is the best, but even the best can lose sometimes.”

Georges St-Pierre says Islam Makhachev on track to being an all-time great

Islam Makhachev is currently 26-1 as a pro and coming off the win over Poirier. Although he has only defended his lightweight title three times, Georges St-Pierre says the Dagestani native is already on track to be one of the best ever.

gettyimages 1342173760 612x612 1 — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 23: Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre poses on the red carpet prior to the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony at Park Theater at Park MGM on September 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I think he’s already starting to get to that status because beating Volkanovski and now his last two performances are amazing,” St-Pierre said.

If Makhachev can continue to defend his belt, or win the welterweight title and become a champ-champ, it would only help cement his case.

Georges St-Pierre claims Islam Makhachev is the ‘Best pound-For-pound’ fighter after UFC 302

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the…

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

St-Pierre also thinks it will be a long time before Makhachev loses, if he ever does, as he calls the lightweight champ the best in the sport.

Georges St-Pierre says Islam Makhachev on track to being an all-time great

“I think he’s already starting to get to that status because beating Volkanovski and now his last two performances are amazing,” St-Pierre said.

If Makhachev can continue to defend his belt, or win the welterweight title and become a champ-champ, it would only help cement his case.

Video – Dustin Poirier catches up with Team Khabib following UFC 302: ‘I just want to wish you the best’

After going toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev for nearly five rounds, there was nothing, but respect between Dustin Poirier and…

After going toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev for nearly five rounds, there was nothing, but respect between Dustin Poirier and Team Khabib.

Stepping into the main event spotlight at UFC 302 for his third and (likely) final shot at lightweight gold, ‘The Diamond’ threw everything he had at the Makhachev in hopes of being the man to finally dethrone the ‘Dagestani Destroyer.’ Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. After 22 and a half minutes of intense action, Makhachev finally forced Poirier to tap out via a slick darce joke that ultimately put his opponent to sleep.

Though the animosity leading up to fight night was evident, there was nothing, but respect between Poirier and Makhachev’s team, led by UFC Hall of Famer and all-time great Khabib Nurmagomedov, once it was all said and done.

What’s next for Dustin Poirier and Islam makhachev?

As for what comes next, the picture is much more clear on Makhachev’s side of things. The Dagestani will likely find himself tasked with taking on No. 1 ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan sometime this fall. Ahalkalakets’ earned his spot at the front of the line with a split decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April.

No official announcements have been made regarding their inevitable clash, but Tsarukyan recently suggested that it will likely go down this October in Abu Dhabi or in November at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

With Poirier, the future is uncertain. Even before he made the walk in The Garden State, ‘The Diamond’ made it clear that UFC 302 could be his final stand. He did leave the door cracked open for a potential return, but has since told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he is “leaning towards being done.”

Conor McGregor rips alleged $500,000 PPV buy rate for UFC 302 card: ‘A nothing burger’

Ahead of his own return at UFC 303 later this month, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has hit out…

Ahead of his own return at UFC 303 later this month, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has hit out at UFC 302 headliners, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier – claiming the pay-per-view event landed just a $500,000 buy rate.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula back in 2021 against the above-mentioned, Poirier, dropping a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat in the process.

Conor McGregor confirms UFC 303 fight with Michael Chandler is on amid scrutiny see ya's soon

And slated to make his comeback from an-almost three year layoff this month at UFC 303 in a main event fight against former title challenger, Michael Chandler, McGregor returns to the welterweight limit at the International Fight Week event.

Headlining UFC 302 earlier this month in New Jersey, pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev would land his third successful defense of his lightweight crown in a submission win over the previously mentioned common-foe, Poirier.

Latching onto a fifth round D’Arce choke submission, Makhachev forced a final frame tap from the former interim champion, before eventually choking him unconscious in an adversity-filled pairing between the duo.

Conor McGregor claims UFC 302 landed just $500,000 in PPV buys

Confirmed as turning in a $7,000,000+ gate at the Prudential Center in Newark, according to former duel-weight champion, McGregor, UFC 302 garnered just $500,000 in pay-per-view buys – much to his delight.

Replacement fight floated as Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler in jeopardy for UFC 303 — Mandatory Credit: Stacy Revere

“500k ppv buys [UFC] 302 done,” Conor McGregor posted on his official X account. “A nothing burger.”

Without a victory since 2020, McGregor’s most recent win came in the form of a first round knockout win over former lightweight title challenger, Donald Cerrone in a welterweight pairing – with the Hall of Fame star landing himself in hot water this week with some controversial comments about Russian nationals and Muslims.

Are you excited to see Conor McGregor fight at UFC 303 this month?

UFC fan favorite Dustin Poirier isn’t retiring just yet, but he is ‘leaning towards being done’

Dustin Poirier hasn’t made a decision about his future, but he’s definitely leaning one way over the other. Stepping…

Dustin Poirier hasn’t made a decision about his future, but he’s definitely leaning one way over the other.

Stepping into the main event spotlight at UFC 302 for his third and final shot at lightweight gold, ‘The Diamond’ came up short once again, succumbing to a darce choke in the fifth round against reigning world champion Islam Makhachev.

Immediately following the fight, Poirier suggested that his retirement was imminent, though he did leave the door cracked open for a potential return.

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Poirier revealed that he has not fully decided yet. However, he admitted to “leaning towards being done.”

“I still don’t know,” Poirier said on Monday. “I can’t say I’ll never fight again, but I just don’t know the reason. What am I going to fight for? To get into a battle? I love that, but I’ve taken some lumps over the years. It has to be for something. And maybe that’s something I’ll realize in the coming weeks, but I’m just taking it one day at a time.

“I’m leaning towards being done. For sure. Especially with getting the title fight, how many more times would I need to fight to put myself back in position to fight for the world title? I don’t know. And like I said, I’m not going to do it again, I’m not going to fight five more times to try and earn another title shot. I’m in a weird spot and I don’t know how to explain it or what decision to make. I’m just taking it day by day and seeing what comes with my mind changing and just to see how I feel” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Dustin Poirier proved he can still hang with the best

Despite the loss to Makhachev, Dustin Poirier looked as good as ever, even sitting dead even with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ on one judge’s scorecards going into the final five. Even at 35 years old, Poirier clearly has plenty left in the tank when it comes to competing with the best of the best.

As it stands, that’s the only thing keeping him from closing the book on his iconic career.

“The only thing that makes me not want to walk away is because I know I can still compete with these guys and I feel like I’m still getting better,” Poirier said. “It’s not like I’m slowing down that much or age is catching up with me. My reaction time is still good, I feel good, and I know I can beat these guys. And say I do leave, a year from now, it might not be the same if I ever try to come back.

“I’m scared to miss what I have left to give, but also I don’t want to give too much of myself. … I want to give more because I know that I have a short window to give the best of myself, but also I’ve given so much of myself to the sport for so long, it’s just, where do I draw the line? That’s a battle I have to figure out with myself.”