Since Islam Makhachev’s UFC debut under the watchful eyes of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and subsequently ‘The Eagle’ himself, comparisons between the two have been endless. Now that Makhachev has ascended to the championship, the comparisons have transformed into a competitive hypothetical: who would emerge victorious if they ever faced off in their primes? Ali Abdelaziz, the long-standing manager of both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, recently offered his perspective on this highly debated topic.
During an interview with Gilbert Burns on the ‘Show Me the Money’ podcast, Abdelaziz addressed the question of who would triumph in a potential fight between Makhachev and Nurmagomedov. Rather than providing a direct answer, Abdelaziz embarked on a discourse about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s transformative influence on the sport, indirectly suggesting that ‘The Eagle’ possessed the potential to overcome Islam Makhahchev. Abdelaziz highlighted Nurmagomedov’s instrumental role in paving the way for Dagestani fighters to flourish in the UFC, emphasizing that without him, there would be no Makhachev or any other Dagestani fighters gracing the octagon.
In the same interview, Abdelaziz unequivocally stated that Nurmagomedov would never make a return to the octagon, regardless of the circumstances. However, he revealed that ‘The Eagle’ continues to engage in MMA training on a daily basis. Despite his retirement from competitive fighting, Nurmagomedov maintains his MMA skills, regularly training alongside fighters like Islam Makhachev.
Ali Abdelaziz disclosed that Khabib Nurmagomedov currently weighs around 200 pounds, the heaviest he has ever been. This added weight, according to Abdelaziz, provides Nurmagomedov with an advantage in grappling, although it’s unlikely that he ever truly lacked an edge in that aspect.
Although fans may yearn to witness ‘The Eagle’ return to the octagon, Abdelaziz’s revelations make it clear that such a scenario is simply not in the cards. Instead, fans can continue to witness Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy being carried forward by Islam Makhachev. The dynamic between the two fighters mirrors that of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, with Bryant acknowledging that without ‘MJ’, there would be no ‘Mamba’. In the same vein, Nurmagomedov’s influence has laid the foundation for Makhachev’s success.
