Islam Makhachev thinks he would do what Khabib Nurmagomedov did — but quicker.
Before rising to the top and putting himself in a position to challenge for two-division glory at this Saturday’s UFC 322 pay-per-view, Makhachev watched on as his mentor forged a path to greatness inside the Octagon.
Nurmagomedov’s biggest career win was undoubtedly his submission against Conor McGregor in 2018. The Dagestani’s neck crank followed months of McGregor trash-talking Nurmagomedov with controversial jibes.
The result and post-fight brawl that followed did little to put their animosity to bed, and that even led to discussions about Makhachev also looking to punish ‘The Notorious’ for his words inside the cage.
That never came to fruition and does not look likely given McGregor’s current career standing, and the Dagestani thinks that should be a relief for the controversial former lightweight and featherweight champion.
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Islam Makhachev said Bobby Green was tougher to beat than Conor McGregor would be
Before Makhachev beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 to become lightweight champion in 2022, the Dagestani ran through a veteran of the division to secure his shot.
In what marked his second main event on MMA’s biggest stage, Makhachev finished Bobby Green via TKO in just less than three and a half minutes.
When asked about facing McGregor at his UFC Vegas 49 post-fight press conference, the then-future lightweight king suggested he would have an even easier night at the office than he had just experienced at the Apex.
“Honestly, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone,” Makhachev said of McGregor. “He have to come back, beat someone and let’s go, why not?
“I’m going to smash him, easy enough. Bobby Green is going to be harder for me more than him [McGregor],” he added.
Green is 32-17-1 in professional MMA and has not won more than three fights consecutively in the UFC since 2014.
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Conor McGregor’s message of support to Jack Della Maddalena ahead of UFC 322
Like Nurmagomedov, McGregor is less than fond of Makhachev. That was evident ahead of the upcoming UFC 322 pay-per-view when it was revealed that the Irishman sent a message to Jack Della Maddalena.
McGregor advised Della Maddalena on how to beat Makhachev in a message shared by Craig Jones on Instagram.
“He will be light work at this weight,” McGregor was quoted as saying in the message.
Who will win the UFC 322 main event?
“No finishing capability or positional awareness whatsoever. He is a backpack at best. Nothing to fear. Fear not!
“Patience, fitness, and ferocity, and he is sparked unconscious inside the 5,” he added.