In a recent interview, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, spoke highly of Islam Makhachev and compared him to Khabib Nurmagomedov. Abdelaziz praised Makhachev’s skills, particularly his love for jiu-jitsu, but ultimately declared Khabib the best grappler in the sport.
Abdelaziz highlighted the differences between Makhachev and Khabib, stating, “What’s the main difference between Islam and Khabib? Those guys are kind of similar, a lot of things, I don’t think they’re similar at all, they’re completely different fighters.” He noted that Makhachev is a funny and shy individual, whereas Khabib is more intense and focused.
When it comes to their fighting styles, Abdelaziz emphasized that Khabib is the superior grappler. “Khabib probably the best grappler I ever grappled with, from a control standpoint, hold you down, and ground and pound.” On the other hand, Makhachev is more versatile and unpredictable. “Islam is more tricky, he likes jiu-jitsu, he likes finishes, he likes stuff like that.”
Abdelaziz also acknowledged Khabib’s exceptional conditioning, saying, “Khabib can go for 30 rounds, it doesn’t get tired, his conditioning is crazy.” Khabib’s mental mindset is also a key factor in his success, according to Abdelaziz. “Khabib is just endorsement man, it’s his mental mindset.”
Makhachev, who is currently the champion in the UFC lightweight division, has an impressive record of 25-1. His recent victories have sparked comparisons to Khabib, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
Despite the similarities, Abdelaziz believes that Makhachev and Khabib are distinct martial artists with different strengths and weaknesses. While Makhachev’s love for jiu-jitsu makes him a formidable opponent, Khabib’s grappling skills and mental toughness set him apart as the best grappler in the sport.he liked stuff like that, Islam is more tricky, but Khabib is just on a different level.”
With Makhachev’s star on the rise and Khabib’s legacy cemented, the debate over who is the superior martial artist will continue to fuel the excitement and anticipation surrounding the UFC.
