Khabib Nurmagomedov’s spotless career in the UFC is hailed as one of the biggest feat in promotion’s history. Usually fighters from the world over turn up to the American giant with an unbeaten record, but aren’t able to retain it. ‘The Eagle’ is now actively training the next generation of champions in Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov and more.
‘The Eagle’ firmly believes their brand of MMA far exceeds anything the entire world has to offer. Khabib Nurmagomedov downplayed Irish MMA in his dig, but there is one rival whom the Dagestani camp really admires. Speaking with Adin Ross, Islam Makhachev revealed Nurmagomedov’s biggest adversary, Tony Ferguson, as a dream fight he never got to do.
My brother Khabib supposed to fight this Tony Ferguson like 5 times both they have injuries the fight is canceled. My dream is to fight this guy because at the moment. Because I always with Khabib, when Khabib have injury I ask my manager can I step to fight this Tony. Tony, in that moment, very good athlete, very good fighter, he had more than 10 fight win streak in UFC.
Islam Makhachev via Adin Ross Stream
Tony Ferguson, prior to his 8-fight losing skid, enjoyed an impressive 12-fight winning run. Among his peers and fans, Ferguson was hailed as the only noteworthy challenge for ‘The Eagle.’ Unfortunately for the duo, the fight never materialized. Now, years removed from the era, Makhachev looks back on wanting to replace Nurmagomedov in order to fight Ferguson.
Islam Makhachev says his dream fight would be against a prime Tony Ferguson:
“Tony in that moment was a very good athlete, very good fighter.”
🎥 @adinross #UFC311 #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/Z4vK9idnPC
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 12, 2025
Islam Makhachev is inching closer to achieving greatness in the promotion. With three title defenses to his name, Makhachev is one step away from cementing himself as the greatest lightweight champion in UFC history. He left behind his newborn son to prepare for the monumental task at hand at UFC 311. Not just that, but even in training, Makhachev has shown great potential to be an all-time great.
Islam Makhachev is the only man to win rounds from Khabib Nurmagomedov
The lightweight king is currently riding a 14-fight winning-streak, merely 2 wins shy of matching Anderson Silva’s win-streak record (16). Makhachev has faced a loss before, but ever since then, he has put together a dream run. Speaking with media, AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) head coach, Javier Mendez, shed light on his star pupil’s abilities and how he would do against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev only man to win rounds from Khabib Nurmagomedov (Image via Instagram)Mendez revealed that Nurmagomedov never lost any sparring session in his entire time in the gym, let alone rounds, in his career. All but one man, Islam Makhachev, seemed to hold his own and even edged a few rounds from ‘The Eagle.’ Showering words of praise on the pound for pound king for doing the impossible, Mendez offered behind the scene look of their camp.
In all the history since 2012, Khabib has been sparring with me in front of my eyes. Nobody has ever taken a round from him. No one has ever won a sparring session except one man, Islam (Makhachev). He is the only one who has won rounds, never won a session, but won rounds from Khabib.
Javier Mendez via Submission Radio
.@akajav reveals “in all the history, since 2012” Khabib has never lost a “sparring session” 😳
“Islam. He’s the only one that has won rounds from Khabib. Never won a session, but he’s won rounds.”
— Submission Radio (@SubmissionRadio) September 29, 2022
A victory at 2025’s first PPV would allow Makhachev to go beyond Khabib Nurmagomedov’s record of three title defenses. Moreover, Makhachev has been quite vocal about chasing a second world title. It would leave the doors open for UFC to book a super fight between the winner of Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov next.
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