Islam Makhachev answers if Khabib Nurmagomedov has been in contact despite absence from UFC 284
Islam Makhachev will be hoping to defend his lightweight title at UFC 284 this weekend against Alexander Volkanovski. However, Makhachev will be without his childhood friend and training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner.
After 'The Eagle' retired from fighting in 2020, he took up the role of co-head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy alongside Javier Mendez and helped Makhachev win the lightweight title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
However, several weeks ago, it was confirmed that 'The Eagle' would be retiring from MMA entirely to spend time with his family. Despite him being physically absent from UFC 284, Islam Makhachev has confirmed that Nurmagomedov has been in contact every day.
The lightweight champion was interviewed by the Australian sports outlet Main Event and he told them:
"Every day, every morning he messages me, 'How is your weight? How are you training? What did you do in sparring?' Also other coaches, coach Javier, they send him videos of the sparring. He gives me good advice every day."
Watch the interview below:
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been calling Islam Makhachev every day in the lead up to UFC 284 in Perth ☎️
#MMA #UFC https://t.co/GWHuLqHrQK
Both fighters have to thank Khabib Nurmagomedov in part for this fight coming to fruition. 'The Eagle' called out Volkanovski following Islam Makhachev's victory over Charles Oliveira and demanded that the pair fight in Australia.
Makhachev will be hoping to take over 'The Great' as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, and Volkanovski is hoping to become a two-division champion.
Islam Makhachev has more motivation to fight Alexander Volkanovski than anyone at lightweight
Islam Makhachev will be hoping to emulate his longtime friend and training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov by reaching the top of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
'The Eagle' reached the No.1 spot on the P4P list following his dominant performance over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Makhachev now has the chance to do the same with a victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284.
During a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, the lightweight champion stated that fighting Volkanovski gave him more motivation than defending his title against a ranked lightweight because of the opportunity to become No.1 in the P4P rankings:
"For me it's more than just a defense. I am fighting for something new, for pound-for-pound. Just [a title] defense is not the same [level] of motivation... I will be motivated [to fight the lightweight contenders] but now I have a new goal, you know? To be the pound-for-pound king. Like [Daniel Cormier], Khabib [Nurmagomedov]."
Watch the interview below: