Khabib Nurmagomedov shares fascinating footage from the locker-room prior to, and in the immediate aftermath of Islam Makhachev’s title win.
Despite remaining one of the most self-confident champions in UFC history, there was understandably a tinge of tension in the air of Islam Makhachev‘s locker-room during the hours leading up to his lightweight title fight earlier this month.
Khabib posts locker-room footage from Islam Makhachev’s title win
Aside from coaching his friend and teammate to UFC title success, former world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is also his partial videographer; having published a fascinating series of Fight Week VLOGs to his YouTube channel in the build-up to UFC 302.
In the final episode of the series, the camera crew offers fans a peak behind the curtain into the Fight Day preparations of the current 155lb king, a day which starts with what Khabib called a “tradition” from his own championship routine, an early morning workout.
This training included only a short run, stretching, and a couple of rounds of pad work before Makhachev headed back off to sleep for a few hours; around 13 hours before his eventual ringwalk.
“On the day of the fight, we came to stretch a little, warm up, sweat because after weighing in, you drink a lot of fluids, and it needs to be distributed through the body,” explained Makhachev.
“The plan is as usual: Wake up on the day of the fight and 30–40-minute workout. Now we have breakfast, rest, and we are ready.”
Even after months of preparation, Nurmagomedov himself can be seen at the centre of a huddle with a phone in hand as he breaks down yet more film of Poirier. Makhachev watches on intently as he studies every last bit of detail he can on ‘The Diamond’, even with just a few hours to go before their fight.
Rizvan Magomedov, Makhachev’s co-manager, described the mood of the team and the atmosphere of the locker-room in the hours leading up to the UFC 302 main event showdown against Poirier.
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“Now the tension is gradually building up,” Magomedov stated, revealing that there was a slight air of apprehension prior to the walkouts: “We sit, smile, but I know that inside everyone in the team is anxious.”
As the victorious Makhachev team returned to their locker-room, the camera panned to Khabib Nurmagomedov to deliver his immediate post-fight reaction.
“Islam teach him how to choke people,” he laughed before adding, “But Dustin is a great fighter, I have very big respect for him – I met his father yesterday [as] we stayed at the same hotel.
“At the end of the day, it’s like this is life. All about respect. This sport is first of all about discipline, and respect you know, and I just want to wish him all the best – him and all his family.”
Dustin Poirier compares Khabib’s style to Makhachev
Interestingly, having been in the UFC octagon with both lightweight juggernauts, Dustin Poirier recently compared and contrasted Khabib to Makhachev on an episode of The MMA Hour.
“Takedowns are different. Pressure is similar. Takedowns are different, he [Makhachev] does a lot of upper-body stuff. He kept trying to clinch up with me [whereas] Khabib would shoot lower shots.
“I think Khabib is stronger, physically stronger, Islam’s squeeze was incredible. All these guys are strong but it wasn’t overwhelming, but his squeeze, it was like a vice grip.”
Poirier ultimately stated that whilst “These style of fights are the toughest for me” Makhachev met every expectation that ‘The Diamond’ had for him heading into the Prudential Center.
“He was everything I thought he was gonna be. He’s the champ. I knew he was tough. I knew he was gonna be strong. I knew he had grit. You don’t get in the position he’s in by not having all of those things.”
With the victory at UFC 302, Islam Makhachev moved to 26-1 as a professional.