"They got glass jaws in Dagestan" - Fans react to Islam Makhachev's striking skills in latest sparring video
Islam Makhachev is all set to lock horns with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira with the 155lbs title on the line in the main event of UFC 280. The event is scheduled for October 22 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Oliveira will try to reclaim the lightweight title he held before being stripped of it at UFC 274 for missing weight by half a pound.
Islam Makhachev was recently seen in a sparring session ahead of UFC 280.
After witnessing the Russian's intense sparring session, fans heaped praise on Makhachev. Many compared him to Leon Edwards, claiming that Makhachev should not be underestimated against 'do Bronx', citing 'Rocky's recent victory over Kamaru Usman.
A fan wrote on Instagram:
"People don't better underestimate Islam same with Charles y'all forgot what Leon did to Usman everything can happen in this Game."
Another fan was quick to take a shot at the Dagestani, harking back to Conor McGregor's words to Khabib Nurmagomedov in the buildup to their 2018 fight:
"They got glass jaws in Dagestan"
Check out some of the fan reactions to Makhachev's sparring video below:
Islam Makhachev explains how Khabib Nurmagomedov's father Abdulmanap impacted his career
In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA, Makhachev revealed how Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov had predicted years ago that the 30-year-old would one day be champion.
Makhachev admitted that he was skeptical of the prediction at the time. However, after coming to the United States and training with many "high-level" fighters, the Russian is now confident that he possesses all of the skills required to become a champion:
"You know, Abdulmanap always told me when I was young, he always told me, 'You gonna be champion' but that time I am so young and I was thinking it's gonna be hard for me because this guy have - 2017, he told me you have to training, you're gonna be champion."
Islam Makhachev added:
"And that moment, I just think how I'm gonna be champion because I am from Russia. That moment we don't have many fighters, many champion from Russia. But every year, everything is changed. And I spend many years in the US, training with the high-level fighters. After all this happened, my mind is changed now and I know I am deserve and I know I have all skills for the champion belt."
Check out Islam Makhachev's full interview with ESPN MMA below: