There’s no denying that Khabib Nurmagomedov has been a guiding force in Islam Makhachev’s journey, serving as a mentor and role model both inside and outside the octagon. Since retiring from active competition, Khabib has dedicated himself to supporting his team, playing a key role in the rise of the Eagle Fight Club’s top talents. However, Head Coach Javier Mendez recently opened up about the impact of Khabib’s absence in Islam Makhachev’s corner during fights.
According to Mendez, not having Khabib by his side can influence Islam’s performance, highlighting just how valuable his presence, experience, and strategic input have been throughout Makhachev’s career. When asked whether Khabib’s absence in Makhachev’s corner had an impact, especially considering his close and challenging first fight against Volkanovski, coach Mendez admitted it did play a role.
He said, “It’s safe to say it affected him a little bit, I would say yes 100%. Having him in the corner the second time around, it was a huge plus.”
He acknowledged that not having Khabib there affected Islam to some extent. In contrast, having Khabib back in the corner for the rematch proved to be a significant advantage, contributing to a more composed and dominant performance from Makhachev.
Ilia Topuria Takes Shot At Khabib Over Not Getting Islam Makhachev Fight
In a chat with Russian journalist Adam Zubayraev, Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Islam Makhachev avoids a fight with Topuria, despite talks of a possible title bout. In response, Topuria took to social media to suggest that Khabib is avoiding the matchup because he knows Topuria poses a real threat to Islam Makhachev’s title reign.
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As the back-and-forth between Makhachev and Topuria continues to pick up steam, excitement among fans is growing fast. What started as speculation has now turned into a heated exchange, with both sides making it clear that there’s real tension. If the UFC decides to make this fight happen, it won’t just be another title bout—it could be one of the biggest and most talked-about matchups in recent memory.
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