When Islam Makhachev chose to help “defeated” Al Iaquinta over celebrating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s championship victory
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Al Iaquinta and Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev at UFC 223 showed the world that mixed martial arts are all about respect! The fighter from Makhachkala’s gesture towards Al Iaquinta is a very sight in UFC.
At UFC 223, Al Iaquinta took on the dominant, hungry, Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title fight. “The Eagle” put on a stellar performance against the American fighter and put on an absolutely mauling. Nurmagomedov was very desperate to become the champion of the lightweight division and his entire team, including fellow lightweight, Islam Makhachev was rooting for him.
After the final bell went off, Nurmagomedov was barely tired and was elated about his performance while “Raging” was struggling to catch a moment’s breath throughout the fight and was also bleeding from his face. Makhachev showed an amazing sign of humility when the final bell went off.
Instead of rushing to his friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev decided to congratulate Al Iaquinta and also offered to wipe the blood off his face. Very rarely do we see opponents showing this kind of humility towards an opponent. Instead of instantly celebrating, the fighter showed concern for the opponent.
islam makhachev wiping ragin al's face instead of celebrating khabib. pic.twitter.com/WWTgCB0wgr
— Dovy? (@DovySimuMMA) October 13, 2022
Al Iaquinta compares Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev’s fighting style
There have been several comparisons between Khabib Nurmagomedov and his training partner Islam Makhachev. The latter is also the apparent heir to Nurmagomedov’s legacy. He is very close to making that happen with his upcoming title fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
Al Iaquinta, who has faced the dominant Nurmagomedov for five rounds in a title fight compares the styles of both the Dagestanis. “He definitely can have similar success,” said Iaquinta talking about Makhachev in an interview with Submission Radio.
Also read: Who is Islam Makhachev? How is he related to Khabib Nurmagomedov?
“Probably not as dominant in his fights…I definitely can see the comparisons. They are teammates, they are both from Dagestan, they kind of have that similar look with the beard and you know they just kind of look like crazy Dagestani lunatics,” added “Raging” in the interview.
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Prateek Athanur
(2944 Articles Published)