Tag: Khabib

Khabib Responds To Jake Paul’s Challenge: “Come On”

Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t taking Jake Paul’s challenge all that seriously. Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov knows a trolljob when he hears one. When the Dagestani caught wind that Paul was teasing making a crossover into MMA, he offered to make his Eagle FC promotion the YouTuber’s MMA home. Paul then came back with the […]

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Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t taking Jake Paul’s challenge all that seriously.

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov knows a trolljob when he hears one. When the Dagestani caught wind that Paul was teasing making a crossover into MMA, he offered to make his Eagle FC promotion the YouTuber’s MMA home. Paul then came back with the following counteroffer:

“Deal,” Paul said. “Only if I fight you first.”

Jake Paul has said in the past that Khabib is the only fighter that he would never troll and that if he ever did call him out, it would be respectful. So maybe this isn’t a trolljob after all but rather the respectful callout he prophesized last fall.

When appearing on The Full Send Podcast, Khabib was asked to respond to Paul’s proposal. During his young career as an MMA promoter, the Dagestani has proven that he is fully committed to doing whatever it takes to grow the Eagle FC brand. But unretiring in order to fight an 0-0 Jake Paul is not a sacrifice this dedicated boss is willing to make.

And Khabib believes that the former Disney actor is very fortunate that is the case.

“Come on. Come on, Jake Paul. I don’t think so. In MMA, like couple minutes,” Khabib said of a potential bout between the two athletes.

Khabib may be willing to give Paul an opportunity to gain experience in Eagle FC, but from the little bit of footage he’s seen, a competition between the two of them isn’t worthy of any serious deliberation.

“He late a little bit. ’Cause I’m finished,” Khabib said. “Of course, they can think about this. I watched his—it was sparring or I watch some video (of him) doing MMA with someone. He have to learn a lot.”

Khabib may be referring to a video Paul released of him training leg kicks. He may also be referring to a dated video of the YouTuber getting submitted by Bellator’s AJ Agazarm in 2017. Either way, the undefeated grappler thinks Paul would be better served fighting a more handpicked opponent that is more suitable for a beginner.

“If he want, we can give him chance,” Khabib said. “We can sign him, and we can pay him. And we’ll see.”

Would you have any interest in watching Khabib maul—I mean fight Jake Paul?

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Shuts Down Jake Paul Fight Talk

khabibUsually not one who’s known for making headlines in the media, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s name has been in the news a lot as of late, mostly regarding his promotion Eagle FC. After the promotion made their US debut last week in Miami, Khabib acknowledged that while Eagle FC was in some ways a developmental league for […]

khabib

Usually not one who’s known for making headlines in the media, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s name has been in the news a lot as of late, mostly regarding his promotion Eagle FC.

After the promotion made their US debut last week in Miami, Khabib acknowledged that while Eagle FC was in some ways a developmental league for the UFC, they should be careful with how they treat their fighters.

Another name that seems to always be involved with any talks regarding the treatment of MMA fighters is that of Jake Paul, the YouTube star who has become one of boxing’s biggest money fights. Paul recently said on an episode of the MMA Hour that he would be open to fighting Khabib in an MMA fight.

The offer was met with laughter as the approach to fighting Khabib is known for would suggest he is above a matchup of this style. However, Khabib joined the Full Send Podcast Tuesday and he was asked about whether or not ‘The Problem Child’ had a future with Eagle FC.

“Yeah. It’s like if you want to fight in MMA because he never fought in the MMA, he doesn’t have experience, we can give him a chance. We can sign him.”

Bob Menery then mentioned Paul’s request that he would want his first fight to be against ‘The Eagle’ himself, an idea Khabib shrugged off by saying “With me? C’mon, c’mon. I don’t think so,” Nurmagomedov said.

Khabib Open To Eagle FC signing Jake Paul

Although the former lightweight champion scoffed at the idea of taking on Jake Paul in MMA, he said that he would certainly be open to giving him the chance to fight in the octagon. 

Khabib mentioned he has been following Paul’s career and saw the recent videos Paul has posted of him working on rounding out his game. 

While we likely won’t see the two ever faceoff in any capacity, Khabib has left the door open for Jake Paul to begin his MMA career with his promotion.

Would you like to see Khabib and Jake Paul square off inside the cage?

Khabib Puts To Rest A Recent Accusation Made By Justin Gaethje

Khabib has put to rest any doubt about where he stands on the UFC lightweight title picture.

Although Khabib Nurmagomedov has been retired from competition for over a year, he has remained a steady fixture in the MMA world. He has started his own p…

Khabib, Justin Gaethje

Khabib has put to rest any doubt about where he stands on the UFC lightweight title picture.

Although Khabib Nurmagomedov has been retired from competition for over a year, he has remained a steady fixture in the MMA world. He has started his own promotion, has experienced success as a coach for his AKA teammates, and has never shied away from sharing his thoughts on any subject brought to him—whether it be the value of ring girls or discussing the careers of his close friends.

Khabib, Islam Makhachev
Khabib, Islam Makhachev

Recently, Khabib offered such thoughts regarding the lightweight title picture. The former champion expressed that Islam Makhachev was more deserving of a title shot than Justin Gaethje due to Makhachev’s nine-fight winning streak and the fact that Gaethje just had a title shot one fight ago.

That shot, of course, came against Khabib himself in what was his final bout, which saw him submit Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254. Khabib reminded Gaethje of this result when arguing in favor of Makhachev receiving the next title shot.

“In last 8 fight, you got finished 3 times Justin,” Khabib wrote. “You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep ? Islam is on the 9 win streak, 3 fight in 2021 and all finishes. Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you,” Khabib wrote.

When Gaethje read the above comment from Khabib, he doubted its authenticity.

“I honestly do not believe it’s [Khabib Nurmagomedov] saying this stuff,” Gaethje tweeted. “He got someone running that s**t or something.”

Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has often been accused of running the social media accounts of his clients and tweeting on their behalf. Coincidentally, Abdelaziz is also Gaethje’s manager.

Monday, Khabib decided to express the same argument vocally so that the whole world, including Gaethje, can rest assured whose thoughts were being shared.

Khabib Doubles Down On Opinion & Shuts Down Gaethje’s Ghost-Writing Accusation

The subject of who will challenge the winner of the UFC 269 main event between Charles Oliveira (c) and Dustin Poirier was rendered moot this weekend. Makhachev has been booked to fight Beneil Dariush in February, meaning Justin Gaethje is a virtual lock to receive the next title shot.

Still, Khabib stands by his original opinion that Makhachev was the more deserving of the two. And he went one step further. He also stated that both Dariush and Makhachev are better than Gaethje and implied that the only reason Gaethje is likely next for the title shot is because of politics.

“Any of them, Islam or Dariush, right now, they deserve fight for the title,” Khabib told ESPN. “But we have some big names on lightweight. Like, you cannot say no for Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje. These two guys, they have very big name. But (as) fighters, my opinion, they better. Dariush and Islam, these two guys, they better than Dustin and Justin. It’s just my opinion.

“But they have big name and we know this game. And sometimes it’s not enough, like nine-win streak or seven-win streak. It’s not enough to fight for the title. Sometime you have to build your name, you know?”

Khabib would then clarify that his remarks were not influenced by any negative feelings toward Gaethje. On the contrary, the Dagestani holds his former opponent in very high regard dating back even before Gaethje debuted in the UFC.

“I respect Justin. I love this guy,” Khabib said. “This guy is very good guy. 2016 when I was cutting weight, when I supposed to fight with Darrell Horcher, he helped me for cutting weight. Last couple days he (stayed) with me. He was (WSOF) lightweight champion. He’s a very nice guy. I just share with him my opinion.

Khabib Nurmagomedov & Justin Gaethje Shake Hands

“My opinion (is) Islam deserve this. Of course, I understand Justin very exciting, Justin, he’s a  real highlight. He’s a real highlight. But it’s my opinion. And I think anybody in UFC right now, doesn’t matter—lightweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight, any weight class—if you have nine-win streak, you have to fight for the title.”

When asked directly if it was really him who left his Instagram comment about Gaethje being undeserving of the next title shot, Khabib was amused by the question.

“It was myself. It was myself. I was writing this,” Khabib said with a laugh.

Do you agree with the UFC’s matchmaking to pair Islam Makhachev against Beneil Dariush instead of granting him the next title shot?

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Khabib Harshly Tells Gaethje Why Makhachev Deserves Shot Over Him

Khabib Nurmagomedov has heard just about enough from Justin Gaethje about his title-shot demands.

Leading into his UFC 268 bout against Michael Chandler, lightweight contender Justin Gaethje threatened a “riot” if he were not awarded a title shot. …

Justin Gaethje, UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje

Khabib Nurmagomedov has heard just about enough from Justin Gaethje about his title-shot demands.

Leading into his UFC 268 bout against Michael Chandler, lightweight contender Justin Gaethje threatened a “riot” if he were not awarded a title shot. Now that he has emerged victorious in what was a Fight of the Year candidate, his insistence of being next in line for the Charles Oliveira/Dustin Poirier winner has grown stronger.

“If you say ‘No disrespect to [Makhachev],’ you would have to understand how disrespectful you’d be being if you thought in any way that he deserves that,” Gaethje said in a Thursday interview with MMA Junkie. “He fought #14 (and) went to #5, and he fought a late-replacement Dan Hooker. There’s no world in which, in the integrity of this sport, he would deserve or justify him doing that.”

Khabib Describes A World Where Protégé Makhachev Deserves Shot Over Gaethje

Daniel Cormier -- Khabib Nurmagomedov used triangle choke to not injure Justin Gaethje
Khabib Defeats Justin Gaethje At UFC 254

During his casual Instagram scrolling, Khabib came across a post from ESPN MMA’s page that shared Gaethje’s title shot demand. Though Khabib can be reserved and a man of few words, he also can be unshackled in his honesty. The latter case could be found in his direct response to Gaethje.

“In last 8 fight, you got finished 3 times Justin,” Khabib wrote. “You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep ? Islam is on the 9 win streak, 3 fight in 2021 and all finishes. Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you.”

Yikes. Clearly, both men have their feet dug in on this one, but ultimately, the only opinion that matters is that of the UFC brass. There’s no word yet from Dana White or the promotion on who will be next for the Poirier/Oliveira winner. Many people are calling for Makhachev (#4) to face #3-ranked contender Beneil Dariush next, with the winner receiving a shot after Justin Gaethje.

Another option may be for Gaethje and Makhachev to settle who should be next themselves in their own title eliminator. From the sounds of it, though, Gaethje is not open to any such suggestions, and it remains title shot or bust for him, regardless of what Khabib or anyone else has to say about it.

What would you do with the lightweight title picture right now?

Continue Reading Khabib Harshly Tells Gaethje Why Makhachev Deserves Shot Over Him at MMA News.

Conor McGregor Mocks Dagestan Culture, Quarrels With Khabib’s Manager

Conor McGregor is back on the offensive on Twitterland, taking aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dagestani culture. Since 2016, there has been no love lost between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. At one time, the tension between the two was mostly competitive in nature, but that would all change ahead of their UFC 229 bout […]

Continue Reading Conor McGregor Mocks Dagestan Culture, Quarrels With Khabib’s Manager at MMA News.

Conor McGregor is back on the offensive on Twitterland, taking aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dagestani culture.

Since 2016, there has been no love lost between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. At one time, the tension between the two was mostly competitive in nature, but that would all change ahead of their UFC 229 bout two years later.

In the build-up to this event, the two took part in what UFC President Dana White called the darkest press conference in UFC history. During the conference, McGregor took multiple shots at Khabib, including remarks that some considered to be inflammatory against the Islam religion.

After Khabib defeated McGregor at the pay-per-view, all the pent-up rage spilled over into a post-fight brawl initiated by Khabib leaping into the crowd to attack a teammate of McGregor, Dillon Danis. Khabib attributed his loss of temper to McGregor’s pre-fight rhetoric.

In the three years since this record-breaking fight, the animosity between McGregor and Khabib has only escalated. Among the most controversial moments, McGregor called Khabib’s wife a “towel” and made a tongue-in-cheek reference to the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

McGregor Mocks Dagestan Culture On Social Media

Wednesday, McGregor decided to pass the time by posting a picture of his infamous bus attack in 2018. This is when McGregor and his entourage ambushed the UFC fighter bus in an attempt to get to Khabib.

“Bastrykin! Where is Khabib’s “shit in his pants medal”? He need this for shit his pants 10 rows back,” the tweet reads.

Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz then got involved, tweeting “You’re drinking again boy. He take your soul but never give it back.”

McGregor then shared a screenshot of a Google search that displayed information of Dagestan inbreeding statistics, to which McGregor shared his amusement with a crying laughing emoji.

“Here we go again insulting people nation and religion this is not funny my dream to see you in person,” Abdelaziz wrote.

“People of Dagestan some of the best people in the world they are honorable hard worker and have a Lotta integrity something you don’t know nothing about,” Abdelaziz continued.

“I hate you bro. When you die I celebrate,” McGregor wrote to Abdelaziz.

“You mad at Google bro,” McGregor wrote in reference to the data on Dagestan marriages.

Additionally, in a now-deleted tweet, McGregor later simply posted “Cousin wife” in a possible reference to Khabib’s marriage.

Conor McGregor and Dana White both hoped to continue this feud in the Octagon with a rematch of the UFC 229 main event. However, Khabib Nurmagomedov has been retired since his 2020 victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Thus, McGregor has found consolation in taking heavy shots at Nurmagomedov, and now his birthplace, sporadically on Twitter.

What are your thoughts on these tweets from Conor McGregor aimed at Dagestan culture?

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Khabib & Shevchenko Identify A Similar Pattern In Their Victims

Two of the most dominant competitors in UFC history, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Valentina Shevchenko, found a similar pattern from their victims. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Valentina Shevchenko definitely do not agree on everything, but they do see one thing the same way. They do not buy into the notion that their opponents were defeated when they […]

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Two of the most dominant competitors in UFC history, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Valentina Shevchenko, found a similar pattern from their victims.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Valentina Shevchenko definitely do not agree on everything, but they do see one thing the same way. They do not buy into the notion that their opponents were defeated when they entered the Octagon. After the fights began, however, is quite a different story.

In a 2019 ESPN interview, Khabib was asked about his opponents’ level of belief when they step into the Eagle’s cage. Here is what the undefeated Dagestani had to say in response:

“I think they believe, too. Because these guys, one of the best in the world. They have to believe. Why you come to fight if you don’t believe yourself? I think they believe, too. But after first round, I think they not believe when I catch these guys.”

Khabib barely lost a round during his perfect 29-0 career. When you go back and watch the manner in which he dominated most fights from bell to bell, it’s difficult to argue with Khabib’s assessment of his victims’ psyche.

Valentina Shevchenko has been equally as dominant during her UFC flyweight championship run as Khabib was in his career. She, too, has barely lost a round during this reign of terror. Like Khabib, she doesn’t attribute her dominance to pre-defeated opponents but rather deflated ones after they’ve become aware of what they’re up against.

“They’re not coming already broken for the fight,” Shevchenko said at the UFC 266 post-fight press conference. “When (the fight starts), the break is when their strategy for the fight doesn’t work. If they have like, ‘OK, I was thinking that I can do that,’ and they’re starting to realize it’s not happening—and I play my game.

They wanted to play their game, but it’s not happening. I just play my game. And this is when the break starts, the breakage. So it’s not before the fight; it’s during the fight, in the first seconds of the fight.”

Valentina Shevchenko’s last “broken” opponent was Lauren Murphy at UFC 266. This TKO victory for “The Bullet” made for her sixth successful title defense. Perhaps the most notable difference between these two dominators is the fact that Khabib’s spirit-breaking days are over while Shevchenko’s says hers are only just beginning.

Continue Reading Khabib & Shevchenko Identify A Similar Pattern In Their Victims at MMA News.