Home » UFC » Khabib Nurmagomedov shares positive message for Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 259

Islam Makhachev faces Drew Dober at UFC 259 and Khabib Nurmagomedov had some words to share before the fight

A lot has been said about Khabib Nurmagomedov and his relationship with Islam Makhachev.

The pair had trained together in the past and continue to do so, even after joining the UFC. This has made a lot of new headlines and Khabib has also stated that Makhachev is a future UFC champion.

Khabib and his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov and and his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov give a press conference in Moscow on November 26, 2018. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

The 29-year-old currently holds a record of 18 wins and one loss. Makhachev is also on a six-fight win streak and he is the favourite for his next clash.

Khabib too has returned to the United States after a year or so and should be in the corner of Makhachev on Saturday.

The current UFC Lightweight champion posted a photo of him with Makhachev and had a positive message to share:

“Step by step @islam_makhachev on point #ufc259”

There was a Russian part of the message and this is what is said via Google translate:

“Everything goes on under its own power, a little more and @islam_makhachev will start.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-8_EJMzup/

Islam Makhachev ready to make the UFC Lightweight division his own?

Javier Mendez, who is the coach of Khabib and Makhachev, as well many other Dagestani stars, has claimed that the 29-year-old is ready to make a big splash in the UFC.

Makhachev had been taking things a little slow in the UFC since Khabib was the champion. However, all that seems to have changed since the Russian retired.

Islam Makhachev trains alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov
Islam Makhachev of Russia compete against Davi Ramos of Brazil in their Lightweight Bout during the UFC 242 event at The Arena on September 07, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

It is to be seen how he does against the unranked Dober but Mendez believed Makhachev’s stock would have risen had be fought someone ranked.

The coach also claimed that Makhachev should be fighting the top five fighters in the division and it will be interesting to see how he does on Sunday.

The 29-year-old is ranked #14 in the division and there are some top fighters waiting to get their hands on Khabib’s belt.

Dustin Poirier got a huge win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257
Dustin Poirier reacts after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira are some of the big names in the Lightweight division.

Makhachev could be fighting one of those names soon but first, he needs to dispatch of the dangerous Dober.

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