Khabib Nurmagomedov has always stood as a pillar of strength for Islam Makhachev. Both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev grew up together, training under the guidance of ‘The Eagle’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Ever since their early training days, Khabib Nurmagomedov has been Makhachev’s biggest supporter. When Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in 2020 after the death of his father, ‘The Eagle’ wanted Makhachev to continue their legacy. Makhachev, being the best student to ‘The Eagle’s father, made sure that his coach’s wish came true.

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Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov wanted Makhachev to become the world champion one day. As per his wish, Makhachev became the UFC lightweight champion after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Oliveira tapped out of the clash in the second round, not being able to escape the arm triangle choke of Makhachev. Makhachev became the world champion in Abu Dhabi, where Nurmagomedov fought his last bout. At the moment, Makhachev is getting ready to fight Oliveira for a second time in Abu Dhabi itself. This time, Nurmagomedov made sure that he warned Makhachev to work hard to retain his lightweight title.

Khabib Nurmagomedov asks Islam Makhachev to make the right use of time

After defeating ‘Do Bronx’ at UFC 280, Makhachev went on to defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski. The bout was a highly close affair that lasted for five rounds. At the end of round five, it was the Dagestani fighter who won the bout via unanimous decision. Now, he is all set for his second title defense against Charles Oliveira. As soon as the date and venue of the fight were announced, Nurmagomedov took to his Instagram story to warn Makhachev. He wrote, “93 days until the fight. You can’t take your foot off the gas, just go ahead, Brother.” The message from the UFC Hall of Famer makes it clear that he wants Makhachev to work hard to defend his title.

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The bout between Oliveira and Makhachev is scheduled to take place on October 21. Nurmagomedov has counted the days left for the bout to remind Makhachev that he should use his time wisely. Oliveira achieved the title shot by defeating Beneil Dariush in the very first round at UFC 289.

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READ MORE: “No Matter How Long It Takes…”- Former UFC Champ Charles Oliveira Breaks Silence Over Islam Makhachev Fight Amid Controversial Manager’s Guarantee

His glorious victory proved that he is one of the greatest fighters on the UFC roster. Hence, Makhachev undoubtedly has a strong opponent opposite him. What are your thoughts about the clash between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev? Who do you think will win the bout? Let us know in the comments below.

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"Like many, my journey into the beautiful game began by watching the mesmerizing Lionel Messi, as his impeccable vision on the pitch and role as a playmaker, meticulously calculating the path to goal always amazed me. This fascination with the finer details of soccer strategy naturally extended to my interest in content strategy. However, my zeal for being a soccer content analyst is not only because of Messi's magic, as I am a keen follower of the Becks as well. While in David Beckham, it was a special affinity for his mastery of crosses, passes, and set pieces, in Victoria Beckham, the fashion queen, I find inspiration in how she masterfully navigated the world of aesthetics and brand identity. This unique blend of admiration for both the tactical intricacies of soccer and the world of fashion and entertainment helps me to cover the game from angles that seamlessly balance sport and entertainment. Before joining EssentiallySports, I worked as a content analyst as well. A Master's degree in English and Comparative Literature from a premiere institute has helped me hone my writing skills and given me a unique perspective on the world of sports. Interestingly, besides soccer, I also extensively covered UFC, especially the Joe Rogan podcast. In my free time, I enjoy reading and keeping up with the latest developments in the world of sports.

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