Islam Makhachev says his mother wants him to retire
Sound familiar? Islam Makhachev has told UFC Russia that his mother doesn’t watch his fights and wants him to retire from fighting. This mirrors what Khabib Nurmagomedov went through after the retiring of his father and coach Abdulmanap. Makhachev and Nurmagomedov were teammates and both are the lightweight champion.
Islam Makhachev: Khabib 2.0?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drRNlyD-bIE
After winning his belt against Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev reportedly flew home and his mother told him, “You’re the champion now. Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother, when will you listen to yours?”
Makhachev also told UFC Russia that his mother doesn’t watch any fights much less his. But he did mention that his father watches all the time.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired at 29-0 after defeating Justin Gaethje in the second round. He surprised everyone by retiring on the spot but said it was due to the passing of his father who died of COVID complications earlier in the year. It was a super emotional moment and one that Khabib has stuck by.
Islam Makhachev has always been seen as the second coming of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Both train together at AKA and in Dagestan. They are suffocating wrestlers. And now, perhaps, they’ll both retire while on top.
Makhachev is coming off of a hard earned victory over featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. While there is a new breed of contenders coming up the ranks at lightweight that could be exciting for Makhachev. Beneil Dariush is next in line for sure. There’s Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot as well. Then throw in potential rematches with Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan and, of course, Alexander Volkanovski.
With Makhachev not retiring in the cage after Volkanovski leads me to believe we will get at least one more fight featuring the second half of the Dagestani dynasty. After that, who knows what will happen? The only way to find out is to wait and see.
