Khabib will be with Makhachev for the Poirier fight: “He’s going to be on my corner”
The Russian fighter will put his lightweight belt on the line against Dustin Poirier this weekend in Newark, New Jersey.
“The Eagle has landed in Jersey City,” Islam Makhachev warned. The Russian will put his lightweight belt on the line against Dustin Poirier this weekend in Newark, and he will do so with Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. The MMA legend returns to support his friend and teammate in one of the most important fights of his career.
Nurmagomedov is one of the UFC’s historic fighters. The Russian was the lightweight champion and one of the most accomplished mixed martial artists, starring in one of the company’s most famous rivalries with Conor McGregor. Makhachev is his successor, his disciple, as Khabib admitted, stating that he would become the division’s king after he retired. Makhachev lived up to his expectations: he’s the lightweight champion and the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter.
“He’s going to be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best coaches, brothers, and friends. Coach, brother, and friend,” Islam revealed while signing some fight posters. At UFC 302, he will make the third defense of his lightweight belt against Dustin Poirier, a fan-favorite fighter who has made history in the company. He was the lightweight interim champion and has fought twice for the title, without success. One of those title bouts was against Khabib, who submitted him in the third round. Khabib’s experience with Poirier could help Makhachev.
Khabib returns to assist Makhachev at UFC 302
Nurmagomedov left the mixed martial arts after promising his mother he wouldn’t fight again after his father died from coronavirus.
“If you guys ask me where have I been? Why wasn’t I in the corner, I already answered this question, I don’t go to fights, I don’t go to the corner and I completely left everything related to MMA. I ask you to accept my decision the same way as my brothers, friends, and sparring partners did. What our team achieved will forever be in the history of MMA.,” he shared in October 2023 on his Instagram account.
The Russian was not in Makhachev’s corner when he fought Alexander Volkanovski twice, a litmus test also for Makhachev, who showed that he could get the job done without him.
When Islam became champion by submitting Charles Oliveira, Khabib was by his side and was the one who put the belt on him. On Saturday night, they will fight to achieve the same feat.