UFC 302 is just around the corner and Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen‘s pair is back in action. During a detailed analysis of the upcoming UFC event, Cormier brought up an interesting point – the comeback of Khabib Nurmagomedov for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier.
Daniel Cormier recently sat down with Chael Sonnen for another episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy. During their discussion on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, Cormier brought up the fact that Khabib Nurmagomedov is mentoring Islam Makhachev for UFC 302. DC had some interesting questions to ask about Nurmagomedov’s comeback as a coach.
But he’s back now and he’s in New Jersey and he’s helping him prepare for Dustin Poirier. Is this just the mentor Chael coming back to his rightful place? Or do you think this speaks to the danger that is Dustin Poirier and Khabib feels he needs to be more hands-on with his prized pupil?
Daniel Cormier on Good Guy/Bad Guy
Nurmagomedov is yet to make his glorious return to the octagon. However, we could see him training and guiding Makhachev for his showdown with Poirier. Khabib and Poirier have faced each other in the past at UFC 242. ‘The Eagle’ had submitted Poirier with a rear naked choke in the third round of the fight. Islam Makhachev could be following this blueprint to take out Poirier at UFC 302.
Sonnen shared a quick story of how Khabib once talked about the multiple Olympic gold medalists in his village. Sonnen did not believe Khabib at the time. However, now he said he understands the expectations of excellence the Dagestani fighters bring with them.
Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘disrupted’ Islam Makhachev’s training camp?
Khabib Nurmagomedov went through his 29 fights of professional MMA career undefeated. That only comes with extreme hard work and dedicated focus. Coach Nurmagomedov embodies just that and expects as much from his pupils.
Khabib Nurmagomedov training Islam Makhachev (via Instagram) ‘The Eagle’ flew to the US to be with Makhachev’s training camp two weeks before the fight. Islam Makhachev recently revealed on Nurmagomedov’s YouTube channel that ‘The Eagle’ reportedly “disrupted” the training camp.
The training camp went well, everyone gave their all. We were there for more than two weeks. Khabib came to the camp, slightly disrupting the start and without any acclimatization, we immediately began training.
Islam Makhachev on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s YouTube channel
Khabib himself talked about training with the other fighters in the camp. He has apparently been having fun at the training camp, the others not so much. Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier will headline the main event at UFC 302 this June at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
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