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Islam Makhachev understands Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coaching retirement, focused on pound-for-pound goal

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not concerned with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s time away from coaching. Last month, “The Eagle” shared an Instagram post indicating his retirement from coaching mixed martial arts. After retiring from in-ring competition in 2020, Nurmagomedov spent his time cornering and training multiple fighters, including Makhachev. The 34-year-old wrapped the UFC lightweight […]

After retiring from in-ring competition in 2020, Nurmagomedov spent his time cornering and training multiple fighters, including Makhachev. The 34-year-old wrapped the UFC lightweight belt around Makhachev, who won the title against Charles Oliveira last October at UFC 280.

Now, Makhachev will be without his Hall of Fame coach in his corner but it’s not something new. He’s been without his coach a couple of times in his career. Despite the loss, he understands how much Nurmagomedov wants to spend time with his family.

“I understand him, because he was retired, but he still traveled a lot with the whole team,” Makhachev told Fox Sports Australia. “And when somebody has a fight, he goes to the training camp, went to the other things. And when you retire, you want to spend time with your family. For example, 2022 he spent just two months at home with his family, but all the other time he traveled a lot. That’s why he wants to spend more time with his family.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Islam Makhachev Wants To Be The No.1 Fighter

Now, the Russian star wants to cement his legacy in the history books and become the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. The only fighter standing in his way is featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The two stars will fight on Feb.11 in Perth, Australia at UFC 284. The champion versus champion showdown will be for the UFC lightweight title.

“Every fighter wants to be pound-for-pound (No. 1), not just champion,” Makhachev said. “I am champion right now, but I have new goal, new target. I want to be pound-for-pound king, because this is, I think, a dream for all fighters. When you’re pound-for-pound world champion, this means a lot.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Michael Chandler Names Better Fighter Between Islam Makhachev & Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has assessed who the better fighter is between former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and reigning king Islam Makhachev. While Khabib ruled over the 155-pound landscape, he and coach Javier Mendez long touted one individual as his successor. And while Charles Oliveira secured a brief reign in-between the Dagestani’s retirement and UFC…

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Chael Sonnen fears Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy may be forgotten: ‘The sendoff was inappropriate’

Khabib Nurmagomedov Chael Sonnen UFC Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen has expressed his fear that the legacy of former lightweight kingpin, Khabib Nurmagomedov may eventually be forgotten in the sport, as the latter prepares to walk away from coaching following his 2020 retirement. Khabib, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, called time […]

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen has expressed his fear that the legacy of former lightweight kingpin, Khabib Nurmagomedov may eventually be forgotten in the sport, as the latter prepares to walk away from coaching following his 2020 retirement.

Khabib, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, called time on his professional mixed martial arts career back in October 2020 following a submission win over then-interim champion, Justin Gaethje to successfully unify the lightweight crowns.

In the time since, Khabib has been continually linked with a return to mixed martial arts competition, however, has successfully turned his hand to the coaching aspect of the sport.

Alongside his own head coach, Javier Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California – last year, along, Khabib coached both Usman Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev to lightweight title victories under the banners of Bellator MMa, and the UFC, respectively.

And ahead of UFC 284 next month in Perth, Australia – lightweight kingpin, Makhachev confirmed how Khabib Nurmagomedov would not be travelling ‘Down Under’ to corner him for his title defense against Alexander Volkanovski, amid speculation that the former champion is bowing out of coaching now too.

Chael Sonnen fearful for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy in MMA

With the news of Khabib’s likely exit from the sport entirely, former UFC middleweight light heavyweight title chaser, Sonnen, explained how he was worried fans and pundits would forget the legacy carved by the Dagestan native should he walk away from MMA.

“Khabib Nurmagomedov, guys – is this the last time we talk about him?” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Is that what’s going on here? Khabib’s out. Khabib’s out of the industry… I don’t know that that set in. When it was said, it didn’t resonate with me – I guess I missed the degree. He’s out. That what it appears, it’s a very encompassing statement to say, ‘I’m out of the industry.’”

“”That might be the last we hear of Khabib, is that where we’re at?” Chael Sonnen explained. “That would kind of be a very sobering moment, wouldn’t it? That would be a lot to accept. Is this how we’re saying goodbye to Khabib? Has he already said goodbye? I just feel like that’s a massive story. I feel like the sendoff was inappropriate. I don’t want to imagine this is the last time I say the words, ‘Khabib Nurmagomedov’ to you guys, but it might be.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Chael Sonnen: Khabib Nurmagomedov Hasn’t Had An Appropriate MMA Send-Off

Former two-division UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes that if Khabib Nurmagomedov’s time in MMA has reached its conclusion, he hasn’t been given an appropriate send-off. Last October, Khabib was in Abu Dhabi to witness his protégé Islam Makhachev follow in his footsteps by having the lightweight gold wrapped around his waist. “The Eagle” subsequently…

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Jon Anik Opens On Emotional Tribute To Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Father: ‘The Only Thing That Even Comes Close…’

There was a point in time where MMA fans questioned the UFC’s decision to have Jon Anik take over as the lead play-by-play commentator on the broadcasts, only for him to become an integral part of the promotion. Anik has been a part of so many incredible moments in the history of the sport but […]

Continue Reading Jon Anik Opens On Emotional Tribute To Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Father: ‘The Only Thing That Even Comes Close…’ at MMA News.

Anik has been a part of so many incredible moments in the history of the sport but for “Big” John McCarthy, there’s one memory that stands out.

McCarthy and Josh Thomson were joined by the modern-day voice of the UFC on the latest episode of their Weighing In podcast.

During their conversation, the veteran referee wanted to highlight how one piece of work from Anik has always stuck with him since he first heard it.

Anik delivered a tribute to the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov following his passing in 2020 which led to his son, Khabib Nurmagomedov, retiring on top of the sport.

Jon Anik Reflects On Tribute For Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Reveals Whether Anything Tops It

After McCarthy spoke about the level of emotion and heart that the commentator was able to put into this tribute as one of his finest moments on the mic, Anik spoke about the backstory of putting this together.

When asked if there was anything in his career that tops this, he gave another example of a powerful piece of work like the tribute for Nurmagomedov, that he also gives a lot of credit to his producer at the time to.

“Yes, I mean the only thing that even comes close and same producer no longer with the UFC, Mike Ricci now actually working for chess.com, and my daughters along with Daniel Cormier’s daughter got to do an Amanda Nunes essay. So it was those three girls doing it so it had nothing to do with me. I don’t know that anything could top that but man, yes, you’re giving me chills when you reference that poem, ‘a father to his son.’

“I wish I remember what it was but oftentimes when we do an essay for a fighter, I might write it, I might have a ghost writer and then I might edit that script. In this case, it was this poem that was actually picked and I really had to find, and I appreciate you acknowledging the work because I am proud of it. I had to find, sort of a dulcet, melancholy, sad tone that was very, and it was voiced on this exact headset that you’re looking at right now in a hotel room probably like this so finding the right tone and sending that off, hoping that they would put it together in the right way, yes it was special and obviously it was to him [Khabib Nurmagomedov] but Mike Ricci really deserves all the credit.”

Continue Reading Jon Anik Opens On Emotional Tribute To Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Father: ‘The Only Thing That Even Comes Close…’ at MMA News.

MMA Analyst Believes Israel Adesanya Following ‘The Khabib Model’ Might Have Led To Dricus Du Plessis Loss

Israel Adesanya failed to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. He lost the belt to Sean Strickland in a huge upset and for the first time in his pro MMA career, he has two consecutive losses on his record. Like Kamaru Usman at welterweight and Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight, […]

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Like Kamaru Usman at welterweight and Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight, Adesanya lost his title after a dominant run in the middleweight division. He beat top contenders like Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier without much trouble.

While fans ponder what’s next for him, MMA analyst Luke Thomas shared his two cents on the decline of “The Last Stylebender”…

Luke Thomas Blames Israel Adesanya’s One-Dimensional Style For His Loss To Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 305

Thomas discussed why Adesanya’s dominant reign ended abruptly on his YouTube channel recently. He responded to a fan asking whether Izzy never developed his skills in accordance with other fighters in the middleweight division.

He pointed out two ways for champions to dominate their weight class. They can rely on a well-rounded style like Islam Makhachev who possesses dangerous wrestling alongside accurate boxing and kicks. Or, they can master one facet of their game like Khabib Nurmagomedov who was an unstoppable force due to his wrestling despite never having a commendable standup.

“You can be dominant in the UFC via two different models. One is, you are sort of well-rounded but you’ve got one ace in the hole. And you know, you can play the levels a little bit if you have to, but you kind of lean on your strengths. And that’s a common skill set like Islam is kind of like that, right? Or you can go a little bit more like Khabib where, you know, you can get by on the other stuff as long as you might need to for a couple of minutes. But you’ve got one skill set and it’s way better than everybody else and you just lord that over somebody like the Khabib model. Izzy was kind of always on that second model.”

According to Thomas, Izzy’s dominance at middleweight was similar to Nurmagomedov’s. He had decent takedown defense but outscored all his opponents on the feet. His wins over Whittaker and Alex Pereira exemplify this perfectly.

The combat sports analyst also highlighted that Adesanya never submitted an opponent in the UFC and most of his wins came in a similar fashion. He used this to explain why the former UFC middleweight kingpin couldn’t sustain his dominance like José Aldo, who’s still winning fights after making his promotional debut in 2011.

“He got pretty far but could you argue, had there been a little more development and weaponization of the ground game or a bare minimum like submissions, you know, had he got taken down and have to spend time constantly fighting or if his wrestling had gotten really good, what could that have done like Jose Aldo.”

Although Thomas brought up a couple of notable holes in Adesanya’s game, he called him the second-best middleweight of all time without a doubt. So, even though “The Last Stylebender” has struggled to beat the new generation of middleweights lately, one can’t deny that his striking prowess was enough to make him an all-time great.

READ MORE: ‘This Is Really Unfair!’ – Chael Sonnen Sticks Up For Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic As Dana White Defends Heavyweight Matchup

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