By becoming the UFC lightweight champion on Saturday, Islam Makhachev fulfilled a prophecy.
Maybe it’s really just a lifelong friend expressing faith and brotherhood, but when Khabib Nurmagomedov Briefly interrupting a Makhachev press conference three years ago, it feels like something much more consequential. Let’s call it a coronation wait.
Nurmagomedov was then still the champion, having defended his 155-pound belt that night at UFC 242 with a remarkable record of Dustin Poirier. Makhachev played earlier that evening in Abu Dhabi – which is also the site of this weekend’s game – and also had a lizard show. Again dam performance. After defeating David Ramos to lift his record to 18-1, Makhachev was sitting at the table after the fight explaining to reporters how he had accomplished it.
Until Nurmagomedov stepped in. The champ was carrying his UFC belt, and he put it on the table in front of Makhachev, then walked away after only saying two words.
“Future Champion.”
Nurmagomedov emphasizes “champion”, but the basic word here is different. That is what Makhachev immediately made clear.
“I waited for him to retire,” Makhachev said with a smile as he glanced at the shiny strap. “I want to fight for this belt. This is my dream.”
That dream came true Saturday during the main event of UFC 280, when Makhachev overcame an all-star battle card lineup with a stunning second-round performance. Charles Oliveira. It was an achievement that somehow became even more significant when the coveted belt was wrapped around the new champion’s waist by the beaming Nurmagomedov, who lifted his friend onto his shoulder and marched him. around the Octagon.
Makhachev then attempted to give Nurmagomedov the belt he had worn until his sudden retirement two years ago, fulfilling a promise Khabib had made to his mother after the death of his father, Abdulmanap . Back in their native Dagestan, the eldest Nurmagomedov trained not only his son but also Makhachev, and the new champion wanted to honor his longtime coach with a touching gesture to Khabib, who He is currently his coach and trainer.
“My belt goes to my coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov,” Makhachev said. “Years ago he said to me, ‘Just train hard and you’ll win.” And I want to give [Khabib] this belt. His father worked for me, I know. “
Nurmagomedov will not have it. “Mine,” he said as he slung the chain around Makhachev’s shoulder.
This moment and all that leads to it signifies the brotherhood between these two warriors. In the intro to the main event, Nurmagomedov appears more nervous than Makhachev, more nervous than he’d ever seen before one of his own fights. And when his friend finished Oliveira, the UFC’s all-time lead in submissions, with a header and arm at 3:16 of Round 2, the typical Nurmagomedov ran into the Octagon with a grin. blinking to lift Makhachev with a hug that would have strangled a lesser man’s life.
But Makhachev remains in shape at the moment, just as he was prepared for everything thrown at him during the fight. Right from the start, he didn’t hesitate to attack Oliveira, who was constantly firing shots Justin GaethjePoirier and Michael Chandler. And while the title was vacated in this bout because Oliveira was stripped after falling underweight before a May match against Gaethje, much of the MMA world regards the Brazilian as the de facto champion. .
And this result feels fateful. Is it because of the endorsement of Nurmagomedov, who has never been known for his hype flights? If Khabib says Makhachev is a future champion, many in the sport seem to believe that must be true. Khabib has proven time and time again that he can do it all in the cage. So why doubt that he can deify the future?
Certainly, Makhachev has done his part well to present himself worthy of the praise. He has been a dominant force since he entered the UFC in 2015, winning 10 straight fights on Saturday. But he certainly has no background to match Oliveira, having never faced anyone on the level of Gaethje, Poirier, Chandler or Tony Ferguson. However, Makhachev stepped into the cage this weekend as an almost 2-on-1 betting lover.
And then he shows why.
It’s tempting to label Makhachev as Khabib 2.0, even though it’s an oversimplification built on their friendship, shared heritage, wrestling skills, and boundless confidence. But Makhachev has a comprehensive skill set that sets him apart from all the others on his team. And he also has some additional promotional muscle in his corner.
That was made clear in Makhachev’s post-fight interview inside the Octagon. After he and Nurmagomedov tried to hand each other the championship belt, Nurmagomedov stepped in to put his friend’s achievement in context and immediately built it up.
“A few years ago, I told you that Islam Makhachev was the best fighter,” Nurmagomedov said. “Not lightweight – he’s the #1 heavyweight boxer right now, today.”
Number 1 pound-for-pound, already? It’s a sacred spot that, in the ESPN rankings and many others, is currently occupied by the UFC featherweight champion. Alexander Volkanovski, who happened to be sitting next to the Etihad Arena. Nurmagomedov knew this. He wants to choose a fight, a big fight, for his friend.
“Now our plan: fly to Australia and fight the king of the weight class, Volkanovski,” Nurmagomedov said.
“Where’s the dwarf?” Makhachev said. “Where?”
Volkanovski was quickly escorted to the cage and a global superfight was waged on the spot.
Let’s put together two outstanding performances in one night for Team Makhachev.
