Islam Makhachev wishes he could have handed over his championship belt to his coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, was Makhachev’s first coach. Abdulmanap had correctly predicted that Makhachev would take over the UFC’s lightweight division once Khabib hung up his gloves. Abdulmanap unfortunately passed away in 2020 at the age of 57 due to COVID-19. Khabib (29-0) retired that same year as the undefeated UFC champion, honoring a promise he made to his mother that he wouldn’t fight without his father by his side. Two years later, Abdulmanap’s prophecy came true when Makhachev dethroned Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight title.