Islam Makhachev talks about comparisons with Khabib Nurmagomedov: 'I want to be like him'

I. Makhachev and K. Nurmagomedov arriving at UFC Apex (Photo: Instagram/UFC Russia)

After the victory over Thiago Moses in the main fight of UFC Las Vegas 31, held last Saturday (17), Islam makhachev achieved the twentieth victory in his career, the eighth in a row. With such success in the Ultimate lightweight category, the comparison with the former champion and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov ends up being inevitable.

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Asked about this at the post-event press conference, Makhachev praised Khabib Nurmagomedov and assured that he wants to be like the former champion.

“If someone says 'Islam is similar to Khabib', I agree. I want to be like Khabib. He is a great man, a champion. He's full of money and still a humble guy. He came to the United States, left his family, stayed for one or two months just to help the team. He doesn't gain anything from it. He just came to help the team. He rented a huge house and several cars for the team and no one paid a penny, he paid for everything. He does a lot of things that no one knows about. We all have to thank him,” revealed Makhachev.

Khabib Nurmagomedov He left professional MMA in October 2020 with a perfect record of 28 wins and no losses. The Russian lightweight won the division's belt in his tenth fight in the Octagon, defeating To the fifth at UFC 223, in April 2018. Khabib defended the title on three occasions before announcing his retirement.

Islam makhachev, in turn, has nine wins and one loss since debuting in the UFC. After being knocked out by Brazilian Adriano Martins in October 2015, the Russian scored eight consecutive victories.

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