Is Khabib Nurmagmedov Cornering Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 Against Dustin Poirier? Lightweight Champ Reveals Status

Islam Makahchaev will defend his lightweight title for the first time against a fellow 155-pounder for the first time on UFC 302. On June 1, the champ will fight Dustin Poirier, who, through a combination of fortuitous timing and a good win a few months ago at UFC 299, finds himself at the cusp of a championship in his thirty-first UFC appearance.

And to prepare for the bout, Makhachev has been joined by Khabib Nurmagomedov in camp. In addition to being the reigning champ’s friend, mentor, and predecessor, ‘The Eagle’ faced Poirier in 2019, and defeated him in the third round of their UFC 242 title bout. And given this invaluable experience, Islam Makhachev revealed that there is a possibility Nurmagomedov may be in his corner for his third title defense at UFC 302.

Makhachev reveals if Khabib Nurmagomedov will corner him

Khabib Nurmagomedov bid adieu to fights (many would say prematurely) in 2020. Following his father and long-time coach Abdulmanap’s death, Khabib’s mother worried about her son’s well-being in the absence of his father and made ‘The Eagle’ promise to retire. The MMA GOAT contender did exactly that and retired at UFC 254, although he continued to coach and corner other fighters, including Makhachev, for three more years.

In fact, Khabib was in his corner when Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira to become the champion at UFC 280 two years ago. Early last year, however, Khabib quit as a coach and cornerman, announcing he would be completely divorcing himself from the sport to give time to his wife and kids. And while he has made the rare exception to join Makhachev in camp, as he has done for UFC 302 and his UFC 294 bout against Alexander Volkanvski, he had not cornered the fighter.

But this might change this time around, as Makhachev revealed that there is a possibility Khabib may be in his corner for the Poirier fight. “We’ll probably leave it without comment. Anything is possible, we’ll see. But of course, if he’s in the corner, it’s much better,” Makhachev said in a recent interview. While the Dagestani is expected not to have many problems against ‘Diamond, there is a reason the UFC legend has been fighting at the top of the UFC’s most stacked division for almost a decade. And Poirier brings something unique and novel to the table that makes their matchup much more exciting than many give it credit for.

Confident Makhachev facing a dangerous Poirier at UFC 302

Dustin Poirier is one of the best strikers in the UFC, as he demonstrated in his UFC 299 bout against the young and dangerous Benoit Saint-Denis. Poirier, the underdog going into the fight, proved why he is a UFC legend and got the Frenchman out of the octagon in two rounds. But Islam Makhachev is not worried.

The champ, in a recent interview with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast, claimed that he was confident (some would say too confident) of victory because of his superior wrestling, even as he acknowledged Poirier’s “very heavy hands” and dangerous striking. And while on paper, Makhachev seems to be the clear favorite, this will probably be Poirier’s last shot at a UFC title.

The New Orleans native will do everything he can to prevail over the Dagestani. His extensive experience in the octagon, and the guile and craftiness it brings is also something Makhachev has not had to contend with much in his career. This is why, contrary to popular opinion, many think the bout is closer than it seems at first glance.