If there was no Khabib, Islam would have been the UFC champion long ago

Islam Makahchev becomes the new UFC lightweight champion. Daniel Cormier said, Islam would have been the champion of the UFC long ago had it not been for Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Islam Makahchev won the UFC lightweight title on Sunday (23/10) in Abu Dhabi after defeating Charles Oliveira. Islam only needed two rounds and crushed the fight with an arm-triangle choke.

Islam Makhachev’s victory is proof that the ‘breed’ of Dagestan fighters continues to be champions in the UFC. Previously, his brother Islam, Khabib Nurmagomedov ruled the same division.

Khabib is even more charming. The Eagle has a perfect winning record of 29-0 and has successfully defended its belt four times.

Daniel Cormier, a former UFC heavyweight champion who is also a training partner for Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makahchev at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) said he was not surprised by Islam’s performance when he killed Charles Oliveira.

“I’m not surprised. We at AKA know very well how good he is when it comes to wrestling. His and Khabib’s wrestling is on a different level,” he explained. ESPN.

“Islam is a technical fighter either in the top game or when wrestling. You don’t know if you face it yourself,” he continued.

Daniel Cormier believes, Islam Makahchev will be able to dominate the UFC lightweight class. In fact, Cormier said, in fact Islam would have been the champion long ago had it not been for Khabib Nurmagomedov!

“Islam could have been champion from the past, but there was Khabib. Abdulmanap (Khabib’s late father-ed) wants Khabib to win first and then Islam,” said Cormier.

“The two of them have been together since childhood. They are brothers and will never fight for the title. Now, it’s time for Khabib to guide Islam,” he concluded.

(aff/bay)