Khabib Nurmagomedov Dismisses Conor McGregor’s Compatriot From Being Threat to Islam Makhachev 

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov believes that Ian Garry does not have the needed skill set to defeat Islam Makhachev at welterweight.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Dismisses Conor McGregor’s Compatriot From Being Threat to Islam Makhachev 

Khabib Nurmagomedov dismisses Conor McGregor's fellow countryman to beat Islam Makhachev (via Bleacher Report, The Mirror)

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There is no doubt that fighters from the Caucasus region have been dominating the UFC over the last few years. After all, four of the active men’s champions are from that region. However, the primary catalyst for this movement was former lightweight champion and undefeated legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, followed by his protege, Islam Makhachev.

One of the main reasons Nurmagomedov gained fame was due to his rivalry with former double champ and UFC superstar Conor McGregor. ‘The Eagle’ was seen talking about a potential matchup between Makhachev and McGregor’s fellow countryman and top-ranked welterweight Ian Garry.

The Dagestani recently spoke out on Makhachev’s calculated move to welterweight. Nurmagomedov weighed in on potential options for the former lightweight champion on a podcast hosted by the President of AMC Fight Nights, Kamil Gadzhiev. However, he explained why Garry and a few other welterweights would fail to match up against Makhachev.

In the welterweight division, I see Shavkat as someone who commands respect and brings real risk. Shavkat, Belal. Ian Garry, I wouldn’t consider him such a serious threat… I don’t see Sean Brady as a big threat. Stylistically, he’s too convenient for Islam. Islam would outstrike him, and if they grappled, Islam would control him

Khabib Nurmagomedov via Kamil Gadzhiev

Nurmagomedov revealed that he is considering the potential super fight between welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena and Makhachev to be the “toughest fight” of the Dagestani protege’s career. However, he believed that the only fighters aside from the champion that posed a threat to Makhachev at 170 pounds were Shavkat Rakhmonov and Belal Muhammad, due to their heavy wrestling backgrounds.

Garry is from Ireland and has a cordial relationship with McGregor. The Irishmen have been seen training and going out with their families together on multiple instances. ‘Machado’ also credited McGregor for shaping him as a fighter and has channelled the ‘Notorious One’ many times ahead of his fights. However, Nurmagomedov believes that the Irishman is “too stylistically convenient” for Makhachev.

‘The Eagle’ believes that Makhachev will outstrike Garry on the standup and will have total control over him on the ground. This proves somewhat true as the Irishman’s first-ever career loss was handed to him by Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Nurmagomedov has also commended Rakhmonov and has trained the Kazakh fighter. It remains to be seen who will be the first in line after Makhachev’s 170lbs debut against Della Maddalena.

Khabib Nurmagomedov talks about the biggest competition for Islam Makhachev at welterweight

There have been many doubts regarding Makhachev’s sudden move to the 170-pound division. However, he set his sights on the welterweight belt as soon as former champion Belal Muhammad lost it to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. However, Makhachev and Muhammad are training partners and have not expressed any interest in fighting each other. Muhammad recently stirred the pot when he didn’t actually dismiss the idea of fighting Makhachev.

Khabib Nurmagomedov talks about the hardest fight Islam Makhachev would have to train for
Khabib Nurmagomedov talks about the hardest fight Islam Makhachev would have to train for (via BBC)

Nurmagomedov has trained Muhammad multiple times and was also present in the former champion’s corner for one of his fights. However, ‘The Eagle’ was recently seen talking to former double champion and legend Henry Cejudo. The pair spoke about a variety of topics, and the conversation approached a potential fight between Makhachev and ‘Bully B’.

For me it will be very hard to prepare somebody to beat Belal. If you want to beat Belal, I think you have to stop him. Without stoppage, what you gonna do? If you take him down, it’s very hard to control him for 25 minutes. It is very hard to dominate with him on striking game because he mix it up.

Khabib Nurmagomedov via Pound 4 Pound show

There is no doubt that Muhammad holds utmost respect for Nurmagomedov and Makhachev. He has commended Nurmagomedov’s training techniques and lauded him for his training methods. However, it remains to be seen what course of action ‘Bully B’ takes if Makhachev earns the belt in the potential future.

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