It's hard to think of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and not link him with his coach and former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. But despite the influence Khabib had on his life and career, it's someone else who Makhachev credits as his biggest inspiration.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
“I gave the belt to Khabib [Nurmagomedov] because I know who made me. Him and his father [Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov]," Makhachev said on the UFC 302 Countdown Show.
Abdulmanap died in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and Khabib, his son, took over head coaching duties. Khabib retired from the sport after defeating Justin Gaethje as a promise to his mother.
Makhachev will look for his third title defense when he takes on someone besides Alexander Volkanovski for once. This time he faces fan favorite and former interim champion Dustin Poirier on June 1.