UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov goes to have his work reduce out for him on January 18.
Whereas ‘The Eagle’ now not competes contained in the Octagon, struggle followers can frequently discover him cornering the likes of reigning light-weight world champion Islam Makhachev and his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, each of whom shall be competing on the identical night time when the UFC returns to pay-per-view in 2025.
Emanating from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the principle occasion of the night will see Makhachev put his 155-pound crown on the road in opposition to the division’s top-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan.
Simply earlier than Makhachev enters the cage for his fourth light-weight title protection, Umar Nurmagomedov will problem bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili within the co-main occasion. It will likely be the Georgian’s first time defending the 135-pound belt since claiming it through a dominant determination win over ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley in September.
Throughout a current interview with The Schmo, longtime Khabib Nurmagomedov coach and American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez expects it to be a mentally draining weekend for ‘The Eagle’ as he appears to steer each his fighters to the largest wins of their respective careers.
“It’s going to be actually busy for him mentally as a result of he has to take care of, you recognize, two of his brothers that he likes to demise—one is his cousin, and one is Islam, who he’s been coaching with since childhood,” Mendez mentioned. “So for him, it’s going to be a ball of nerves.
“For me, it’s not that unhealthy in any respect as a result of I’m used to it now. I can go proper by way of it—no downside. He’s going to be a wreck, although.”
Mendez says all the pieces is ‘on level’ forward of makhachev and nurmagomedov’s huge night time
Providing some perception into Makhachev and Nurmagomedov’s coaching forward of UFC 311, Mendez added:
“However issues are nice, issues are incredible. The coaching is incredible. We’re on level, we’re on level. We’ve got three extra weeks of arduous coaching, after which we’re off to Los Angeles. We’ll see what occurs.”
Whereas Makhachev is already acquainted with the brilliant lights of a five-round title struggle, it is going to be an unfamiliar feeling for Umar Nurmagomedov. The undefeated star secured his first shot at UFC gold with a formidable exhibiting in opposition to Cory Sandhagen over the summer season. The win jumped him all the best way as much as the No. 2 spot within the rankings, setting the stage for his showdown with ‘The Machine.’
Mixed, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov have gained their final 32 fights.
