Khabib “The Russian Eagle” Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He retired with a 29-0 record, defending the UFC lightweight championship, and dispatched some of the most dangerous men on the planet.
Javier Mendez, who worked with Khabib at American Kickboxing Academy, sees plenty of the Eagle in Islam Makhachev, and actually believes that aspects of Islam’s game are stronger than Khabib’s.
Is Makhachev BETTER than Khabib? Just ask Javier Mendez
Speaking with Real Quick with Mike Swick, Mendez said of Islam Makhachev, heir apparent to Nurmagomedov’s legacy, ““What Islam has that Khabib never had as good are throws, judo throws, leg sweeps, leg trips.
I mean, Khabib has them, but not to the level of Islam now. I mean, all of a sudden, you’re with Islam, you’re going with it and the next thing you know, you’re flying, you’re literally flying.”
Considering that both Khabib and Islam’s approach to fighting depends heavily on grappling and wrestling, rooted in Russian sambo, this is quite a compliment.
“Khabib is actually meaner. He’s mean. Khabib is like this. When he controls you, it’s like his whole body controls you. His legs, his toes, his arms, everything locks up to you. One’s a little bit more explosive is Khabib, the more explosive one.
But the other one Makhachev is a little smoother in transitioning.” Islam’s prowess is so fearsome, in fact, that he prompted Khabib’s improvement in several areas of his fight game. “Khabib got better at knees because he got tired of Islam beating the cr*p out of him.
Islam beat the cr*p out of him so next thing you know, Khabib’s like ‘I’ve even got knee pads’ because I wouldn’t allow these guys to throw knees if they don’t have knee pads, so I’ve been getting his knee pads because Islam is beating the cra*p out of him!
So that’s how the progression came. That’s how good Islam was. So he was able to adapt and learn from other people [while] Khabib was more loyal.”
With Islam steadily climbing up the lightweight ranks thanks to a series of brutal finishes, an assault on the title seems inevitable. Perhaps Makhachev will be the one not only to inherit Khabib’s legacy, but to eclipse it.
Do you think Islam Makhachev is better than Khabib Nurmagomedov, or should we wait a while to see how good he really is? Let us know in the comments.
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!
