Khabib Nurmagomedov at an Eagle Fighting Championship event
Khabib Nurmagomedov was thoroughly impressed by the dominant title defense of Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 275
Gegard Mousasi defended his Bellator middleweight throne against Austin Vanderford by TKO inside the first round. MMA community showered praises on the former UFC middleweight contender for his dominant display.
One of the most dominant champions in UFC history, Demetrious Johnson had spoken about Mousasi in the highest regards when asked about his favorite fighters to watch. He said that he’s one of those fighters who can shoot for a takedown, his balance is perfect when he sprawls and also possesses knockout power in punches and kicks.
Reacting to his win at Bellator 275, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov praised Mousasi by saying,
“@mousasi_mma is the most underrated fighter in MMA today. Congratulations Gegard #Bellator275“
His victory at Bellator 275 sparked the idea that stylistically he’s perfectly suited to fight the dominant UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.
Although Khabib was the alpha in a team full of Dagestani warriors forged by Abdulmanap, his favorite student astonishingly was Islam Makhachev.
Many fighters, even in his adopted fight family at American Kickboxing Academy, have considered Makhachev to be the most well-rounded fighter in the camp.
In a fight capsule released by ESPN building up to Islam Makhachev’s fight this weekend, Khabib explains his father’s vision and says that he deeply believed that Makhachev will be a future champion.
“(Islam Makhachev) was my father’s favorite student. Islam was, for my father, like his son. My dad always kept saying that Islam is a future champ. That’s why I have to be here, and that’s why I have to finish what my father beginning.”
More MMA news
Follow our dedicated MMA page for instant MMA news and updates
