“Took him down the straightaway” – Islam Makhachev reveals details about a “satisfying” sparring session with Leon Edwards
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Islam Makhachev and Leon Edwards
Islam Makhachev and Leon Edwards are both in the top leagues of combat sports. Leon Edwards is the current UFC Welterweight champion and Islam Makhachev is the most talked about fighter main eventing UFC 280.
Back in 2021 Islam Makhachev spoke to RT Sport MMA sharing his training session with Leon Edwards. In 2015, Islam Makhachev joined the American Kickboxing Academy to train along with his fellow Dagestani Khabib Nurmagomedov. He recalled when Coach Javier Mendez subjected him to a sparring session against Edwards on the very first day of training.
Makhachev said, “Yes, I remember my first day at AKA. I came in and saw they had sparrings in the cage…It was the time Leon Edwards was training at AKA, who is now a top fighter at 170 lbs. So coach Javier (Mendez) is warning us: ‘guys, be careful, he is a very good striker, watch out for his left kick’, and I am like, ‘whoa, it’s my first sparring at AKA, I have to prove myself, and he is a dangerous striker. So, as the fight started, I just took him down the straightaway and was controlling him on the ground. I just wanted to do well in my first sparring. Although Leon Edwards was a different fighter back then”
Since then both of them have gone on to achieve a lot in their respective careers. Islam Makhachev is currently preparing for the biggest fight of his UFC career against Charles Oliveira in Abu Dhabi.
When Leon Edwards warned Islam Makhachev about Charles Oliveira
Leon Edwards was the target of a subtle jab from Makhachev following Leon’s victory over Kamaru Usman. Following that remark, Edwards stated in an interview with InsideFighting that Islam should concentrate more on his fights as opposed to making comments about the welterweight champion. Speaking to InsideFighting Edwards said, “That’s a good fight. I think that’s a fight he needs to worry about”.
Further continuing he said, “He should worry about Charles, you know. He’s a dangerous opponent and I think you should take him seriously. He’s got great jiu-jitsu, great striking, and great grappling, so I’m looking forward to that fight,”.
The fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira will take place at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22. The lightweight championship is on the line in one of the most eagerly awaited fights of the year.
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Soumya Ranjan
(2167 Articles Published)