Islam Makhachev says Khabib Nurmagomedov remains to be very entrenched within the battle recreation.
Nurmagomedov retired as an undefeated UFC light-weight champion and has since handed the torch onto Makhachev, who has lived as much as the potential by turning into 155-pound champ himself.
Nurmagomedov insists he won’t ever battle once more, however Makhachev admits that Nurmagomedov nonetheless loves the sport.
“I feel he’s glad, however this man misses combating, battle camp,” Makhachev mentioned on Shadow Lion’s “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo. “That’s why he joins us in every single place. He loves to coach – day by day, he trains.
“Not simply when he’s with us, on a regular basis this man’s coaching. He has a home within the village, a home within the metropolis. Each homes have a sauna, superb fitness center, swimming pool. This man is coaching on a regular basis.”
Makhachev says Nurmagomedov at the moment weighs over 200 kilos, making him even more durable to take care of as a coaching companion.
“It’s not a secret, Khabib has just like the worst fashion for everyone,” Makhachev mentioned. “If he takes you down, he takes all of your vitality, all of your energy as a result of he’s very heavy on prime.
“I don’t have the identical expertise as a result of at all times once I’m on prime, I’m searching for choke, to do one thing, however this man has loopy management, he holds you. Now, he has loopy energy as a result of he’s large and he holds you and also you say, ‘Hey, get out.’”
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his light-weight title towards Dustin Poirier within the UFC 302 essential occasion June 1. Makhachev’s mentor Nurmagomedov submitted Poirier in Spherical 3 of their title battle at UFC 242.
For extra on the playing cards, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302.
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