Khabib Nurmagomedov undoubtedly ranks among the greatest fighters to have graced the UFC octagon. His unbeaten record in MMA speaks volumes about his prowess and sets him apart as one of the best in the business.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Following in Khabib’s footsteps is his protégé, Islam Makhachev, who emulates his mentor’s dominance and went on to become a champion in his own right. The discipline both fighters displayed played a pivotal role in their success, which they attribute to their early training under the watchful eye of Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
With their elite level of skills, it would have been a treat to witness both Khabib and Islam square off in the octagon. Unfortunately, that never came to fruition, and it is unlikely to happen in the future. However, the two did fight each other when they were young, and a clip of their bout has recently surfaced online, leaving the MMA world stunned at the skills the young Khabib displayed. Just when fans thought they had seen the best of him, this video knocked their socks off.
UFC world is startled by Khabib Nurmagomedov submitting Islam Makhachev
The recently resurfaced clip showcases Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev in a fight that took place when they were very young. The clip has garnered a lot of attention, and for good reason. In the fight, ‘The Eagle’ put some flashy moves on display and submitted the young Makhachev with a flying armbar, ending the fight rather quickly.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Islam Mamedov
6 fighters including Islam Mamedov left Abdulmanap for the team “Champion” (Khabib’s father wanted to stop coaching because of that incident). The next year, Khabib and Islam Mamedov met in the semi-finals pic.twitter.com/h0vMbWgBxT
— MiracleM96 (@Deli964) April 16, 2023
The clip has since gone viral, with fans and experts praising Khabib’s skills, even from a young age. And it is clear that the fighter had a natural talent for the sport.
Never saw that type of flashy moves in Khabib’s UFC fights 😳 He was mostly methodological and reliable in UFC fights…
— Square& (@Square10273252) April 16, 2023
Imagine being so good you don't get to demonstrate half of your extraordinary talent.
— ARETE (@_aretemma_) April 16, 2023
Look at the sheer skill in khabib
— Doctor MMA (@FightDoctor_) April 16, 2023
And most of them were left spellbound with the flying armbar.
As most people haven’t seen Nurmagomedov do such moves in the UFC, it left them wondering what more the Russian could have done if he didn’t retire.
flying arm bar is brazy, khabib really been that guy from young https://t.co/50dZAwc7cF
— Lupin (@srorps) April 17, 2023
Flying arm-bar – what the hell 😳.
Khabib is a nutcase! GOAT. I don’t think we even get to see this guy at his full potential in the UFC. What a genius. https://t.co/zx43xImFuT
— H4. 🇵🇸 (@hxmza1) April 17, 2023
Eventually, it all came around in a full circle:
— Khalid Nekzai (@KhalidNekzai) April 16, 2023
To sum it up, the young Khabib’s skills were appreciated by his fans, and it is no wonder that he went on to become one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Islam Makhachev, his protégé, carries on his legacy with his own brand of dominance.
What are your thoughts on young Khabib Nurmagomedov’s skills? Please let us know in the comment section below.
Watch this story: Conor McGregor Responds to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s GOAT List
