Islam Makhachev believes he could have become the UFC lightweight champion 2 years ago if Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov was still alive
Islam Makhachev captured the vacant UFC lightweight strap with a dominant second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira in the main event at UFC 280
Khabib Nurmagomedov's heir to the throne, Makhachev dedicated his victory to the man who had planned it all out for him and 'The Eagle', Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
According to the UFC lightweight champion, he would have captured the belt two years ago if not for the untimely death of Nurmagomedov Sr. The 31-year-old said in an interview with Megan Olivi:
"Always he [Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov] told, 'After Khabib went retired, Islam have to take this belt. But many things happen after he [passed away]. And just couple of years [later] now I take that belt from Charles. But if he [was] with us right now, I can take this belt before couple of years."
Watch Islam Makhachev's comments at the 0:53 mark of the video below:
Hailed as a pioneer of Dagestani MMA, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov has chiseled Makhachev since his childhood alongside his son, Khabib. Nurmagomedov Sr. unfortunately passed away due to COVID-19 in 2020, shortly after which 'The Eagle' made his final title defense against Justin Gaethje.
However, his carefully laid out 'Father's plan' has materialized with Makhachev's UFC 280 victory over Oliveira.
Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been aggressively promoting his protege Islam Makhachev for the better part of the last two years. Going into UFC 280, 'The Eagle' had predicted that Makhachev would absolutely run-through Charles Oliveira.
While Oliveira went toe-to-toe for as long as he could, the UFC 280 main-event could certainly be argued to be a lopsided affair.
With doubts put to rest, Nurmagomedov now claims that Makhachev is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. And to prove that, they are ready to challenge current UFC pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, who was also a back-up fighter for the UFC 280 headliner.
'The Eagle' said in the post-fight octagon interview:
"All life, all life we train together. 22 years we train together, and last couple of years, I told you guys, Islam Makhachev is the best fighter. Not in lightweight, he’s the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter right now, today. And you know what is interesting? Charles Oliveira is No. 2 pound-for-pound, right? He finished Charles, now it’s our plan: fly all the way to Australia and fight in pound-for-pound king backyard. Volkanovski, let’s do it. We know we’re gonna finish this guy.”
Watch Nurmagomedov's comments at the 2:37 mark of the video below: