Khabib Nurmagomedov admires Muhammad Ali and all that the boxing legend stands for
Khabib Nurmagomedov faces Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 and was asked about being a great like Muhammad Ali during the pre-fight conference.
Khabib has avoided comparisons with the late Ali, but his coach had other ideas. The Schmo had asked Khabib about being the next Ali but the Russian claimed there was a lot of work to do.
Javier Mendez, his coach, believed his client isn’t Ali yet but could be put in the same bracket:
“Because of his following and religion like Muhammad Ali, I put him not like Muhammad Ali but in the same kind of category because he influences billions, you know.
“I definitely put him in category because when he does in fighting is one thing and when he does outside of fighting is another and he is able to do the same ones as the great ones like Muhammad Ali has been able to do.
“For me, Muhammad Ali is the greatest of all-time. The greatest human being athlete of all time because of what he accomplished outside and not what he did inside.”
Not changing the plan
The Schmo also asked Mendez about the loss of Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap. This would be the first fight for Khabib without his father by his side. Abdulmanap passed away after fighting Covid and many thought this was the end of the Russian’s career.
However, Khabib has battled on and Mendez claimed that not much had changed in Khabib’s training camp either.
The coach did say he missed Abdulmanap and added that the Russian was a great man and a great coach.
It will be interesting to see how things go for Khabib at UFC 254. Gaethje is expected to be his toughest fight, however, the Russian is undefeated in his career and is seeking 30 MMA wins.
Khabib is 28-0 while Gaethje only has two losses in his career. The American was in fine form against Tony Ferguson and he will provide a stiff test for the Russian.
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