In 2024, as the anticipation grew for UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s third title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, Henry Cejudo unintentionally ignited controversy within the MMA community. On his ‘Pound for Pound’ podcast, ‘Triple C’ referenced the lightweight champion’s “remote control” relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov, sparking a firestorm of discussion.

In response, Nurmagomedov shared a fan-made poster on Instagram featuring himself holding a PlayStation remote control, with Makhachev below him holding the championship belt. The post mocked the situation, fueling the debate before the matter eventually cooled down. Fast forward to the present, and the controversy has recently resurfaced as Makhachev prepares for his record-breaking fourth lightweight title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311.

During a recent interview with Shak MMA on YouTube, the topic of Islam Makhachev‘s relationship with ‘The Eagle’ came up once again, reigniting some friction. Reflecting on his previous fight with Poirier, Makhachev noted how Khabib insisted the Dagestani lean toward wrestling instead of striking. “If he let me strike more in that last fight, I could’ve knocked him out. But he always told me to go one-two, one-two-three, then take him down. He chose the safer option because Dustin’s weakness is wrestling. But in the last fight, Dustin defended well, so I used my striking more,” Makhachev explained.

However, despite not fully adhering to the instructions of his close friend and mentor, Makhachev successfully defended his title in a brutal battle against Dustin Poirier, who pushed the reigning champion to his limits and tested Khabib Nurmagomedov’s resolve. In the end, Makhachev sealed the victory with a D’Arce Choke on ‘The Diamond’ in the final round. However, ignoring ‘The Eagle’s’ guidance came with a price. What is it? Keep reading to find out.

Islam Makhachev recalls his “War” with Dustin Poirier

Dagestani fighters, particularly Khabib Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev, have built a reputation as the “untouchables” of MMA, known for their dominance and adherence to the principle of never showing vulnerability in the cage. However, Islam Makhachev defied this code last year by ignoring ‘The Eagle’s’ advice to focus on wrestling during his fight with Dustin Poirier.

Instead, the lightweight kingpin showcased his striking, pushing back against the stereotype that Dagestani fighters excel only in wrestling. While this bold move earned him recognition, it came at a significant cost. Ahead of his fourth title defense, Makhachev recently reflected on the physical toll of that fight during an interview with MMA Flyweight GOAT Demetrious Johnson on his YouTube channel, ‘Mighty.’

Makhachev praised Poirier’s preparation, admitting that ‘The Diamond’ had done his homework and effectively defended against the reigning champion’s wrestling. “Last time I fought Poirier, he prepared really well. He did good homework, and he defended my wrestling. I made a lot of mistakes. I also had the Kimura, and when I closed in, I thought it was finished, but I made a mistake a couple of times,” Makhachev said. “Man, he gave me a gash,” which Johnson later referred to as a “war.”

What’s your perspective on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s influence on Islam Makhachev’s strategies? While Khabib’s intentions to guide his teammates are clear, do you think his controlling approach may limit their growth and evolution? Share your thoughts below.