WATCH: Khabib Nurmagomedov left speechless after ‘back-flipping’ Islam Makhachev pulls off insane soccer skill

Islam Makhachev is close to his third title defense this weekend. Former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is mentoring Makhachev. When it comes to Makhachev’s training camp antics, Nurmagomedov has pretty much seen it all. Except, apparently, for his protege’s latest mind-blowing soccer skills showcase.

The UFC 302 countdown video clip was recently released by the UFC. It showcased the UFC lightweight champion pulling off a move so audacious that it left his mentor and friend utterly speechless. The footage shows the Dagestani wrecking crew engaging in a casual game of pick-up soccer during their UFC 302 training regimen. Islam Makhachev scored a goal from a corner kick and then he scored another goal from the halfway line. The camera panned to Nurmagomedov, who could do nothing but throw his hands up in absolute disbelief.

Makhachev’s team went on to win the match. He then backflipped in front of his mentor and declared that history had been made that day as they had defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team.

Watching the always stoic Nurmagomedov utterly stunned into silence speaks volumes about the sheer audacity of Makhachev’s move. Makhachev prepares to put his lightweight title on the line against Dustin Poirier this weekend. Perhaps he may also have stumbled upon a lucrative side career thanks to his soccer prowess.

Belal Muhammad recounts a soccer incident with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team

For UFC welterweight, Belal Muhammad, training alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov and his elite team provided invaluable experience. But he quickly discovered there was one activity where the merciless Dagestani crew showed exactly zero chill – soccer.

Belal Muhammad talks about playing soccer with Team Khabib (via WMMAA)

Recently, he talked about his first foray into what he assumed would be a casual game of soccer with Khabib’s football-obsessed crew. As Muhammad tells it, the seemingly friendly soccer game quickly devolved into an intense, no-holds-barred battle once the opening whistle blew. Khabib immediately morphed into a raging, trash-talking dynamo, berating his new training partner for the slightest misstep.

I’m on Khabib’s team… I think we were down by three points, three goals, and Khabib’s like yelling at me ‘What are you doing?!’
Belal Muhammad via Money Loyalty Legacy Podcast

Muhammad could only sheepishly apologize as Nurmagomedov berated him like an errant child. As the game wore on, however, Khabib’s elite competitive fire took over. He singlehandedly willed his team back into the contest, scoring five unanswered goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. For Belal Muhammad, this was a one-and-done deal. He vowed to never play soccer again with Nurmagomedov’s crew.