Khabib called Islam Makhachev his father's favorite student
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov believed in the young fighter's talent long before his first successes.
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov recalled that Russian fighter Islam Makhachev was one of his father's favorite students.
As a trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov raised many star fighters, including his son Khabib.
"His father believed in him very much. His father probably saw potential in him, diligence, discipline long before his big successes in the octagon," Khabib Nurmagomedov said.
Now Khabib himself will take his father's place in Islam Makhachev's corner in his fight with the Brazilian Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22.