Islam Makhachev thinks he would do what Khabib Nurmagomedov did — but quicker.
Before rising to the highest and putting himself ready 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 contained in the Octagon.
Nurmagomedov’s biggest profession 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 place their animosity to bed, and that even led to discussions about Makhachev also seeking to punish ‘The Notorious’ for his words contained in the cage.
That never got here to fruition and doesn’t look likely given McGregor’s current profession standing, and the Dagestani thinks that ought to 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 can be
Before Makhachev beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 to turn into lightweight champion in 2022, the Dagestani ran through a veteran of the division to secure his shot.
In what marked his second major event on MMA’s biggest stage, Makhachev finished Bobby Green via TKO in only lower 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 a fair easier night on the office than he had just experienced on the Apex.
“Truthfully, I don’t remember when this guy beat someone,” Makhachev said of McGregor. “He have to return back, beat someone and let’s go, why not?
“I’m going to smash him, easy enough. Bobby Green goes to be harder for me greater than him [McGregor],” he added.
Green is 32-17-1 in skilled MMA and has not won greater than three fights consecutively within 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 lower than keen on 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 the right way to beat Makhachev in a message shared by Craig Jones on Instagram.
“He shall be light work at this weight,” McGregor was quoted as saying within the message.
Who will win the UFC 322 major event?
“No ending capability or positional awareness by any means. He’s a backpack at best. Nothing to fear. Fear not!
“Patience, fitness, and ferocity, and he’s sparked unconscious contained in the 5,” he added.