“He came back with gold medal” – How “24 kilos” Islam Makhachev stunned Khabib Nurmagomedov in the year 2000


“He came back with gold medal” – How “24 kilos” Islam Makhachev stunned Khabib Nurmagomedov in the year 2000

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev has always been an immensely talented fighter according to Khabib Nurmagomedov. The former lightweight champion reveals a crazy story about how a young Makhachev shocked him.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev have known each other for almost all their life. The two are only 3 years apart in age and have grown up like brothers, learning to fight, and now becoming two of the biggest UFC names in the world.

In an interview with Daniel Cormier, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed when he first understood the talent Makhachev possessed. “It was 2000. We were going to the same school as Islam and he was younger than me like, three years,” said Nurmagomedov talking to Daniel Cormier. “In gym they go to one tournament in one city. He and my big brother Shamil,” said Nurmagomedov.

“They go like 15 people and two guys become champion. Ok, Shamil becomes champion, I can understand, but who are you? He is like small guy 24 kilos and he comes back with gold medal,” said Khabib talking to Daniel Cormier about the talent of Makhachev.

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Read more: Who is Islam Makhachev? How is he related to Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Why is Khabib Nurmagomedov always in Islam Makhachev’s corner?

Khabib Nurmagomedov x Islam Makhachev
Nurmagomedov watching over Makhachev during his fight

Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov decided to retire in the year 2020 following the death of his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. The fighter was very close to his father and promised his mother he won’t fight again in the absence of his dad. However, one of Mr. Abdulmanap’s biggest goals was to make sure Makhachev becomes champion after Khabib vacates the division.

Also read: Watch: Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov rallies his team with a ROUSING speech ahead of UFC 280

Islam made his lightweight debut in the UFC three years after his childhood teammate, Nurmagomedov made his debut. Since his retirement, Khabib has made sure he helps his teammates achieve their goals in fighting and has been determined to make Makhachev the champion of the lightweight division.

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Several fans and critics believe Islam is the true heir to the lightweight throne and have proclaimed Makhachev to be a better fighter than the former lightweight champion himself. At UFC 280, when Makhachev takes on Charles Oliveira, the UFC Hall-of-Famer will also be in the corner coaching Islam.

Also read: Daniel Cormier likes to rely on researchers for his commentary, and nobody can tell him otherwise