Khabib Nurmagomedov was worried about Islam Makhachev facing Alexander Volkanovski, according to his longtime coach Javier Mendez.
Khabib Nurmagomedov was well aware that Islam Makhachev would have his hands full with Alexander Volkanovski according to the former champ’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez. After retiring from MMA in 2020, Nurmagomedov named Makhachev as his successor in the lightweight division, and by last year, Makhachev delivered on that promise by winning the 155-pound title from Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Afterward, Makhachev, with some help from Nurmagomedov, called for his first title defense against Volkanovski in Australia.
Despite helping make the fight happen, Nurmagomedov did not have his usual role as coach and training partner in preparation, deciding instead to withdraw from MMA entirely to focus on his family. However, Nurmagomedov continued to be concerned for his longtime friend and teammate’s success. Mendez shared on the “Jibber with Jabar” podcast (h/t MMA Mania), “Khabib would call me up and would say, ‘Coach, I’m really worried about this fight. Volkanovski is really tough, I’m concerned for Islam a little bit on this one.’ I was like, ‘I’m not, we’re going to win this fight. I don’t know how easy or how hard, but we’re going to win this fight. So, I know you’re worried Khabib, but I’m not worried.'”
Nurmagomedov’s concerns proved to be well-founded, as Volkanovski presented one of the most difficult challenges Makhachev has faced in his MMA career. The two champs faced off at UFC 284, with Makhachev earning a hard-fought unanimous decision in a close battle that some still argue Volkanovski should have won. As a result, Mendez mentioned that Makhachev and his team are absolutely interested in a rematch in the future. “Was it a tough fight? Hell yeah,” Mendez admitted. “Was it tougher than I thought? Hell yeah. Did they gain my full respects? Hell yeah, he got my respect. But am I looking forward to the rematch if they have one? Hell yeah. I want that rematch and I know Islam wants it too.”
However, all talk of a rematch is premature at this time, as Volkanovski has other business to attend to in his own weight class. The featherweight champion is scheduled to unify his title against interim champion Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC 290 on July 8.