Islam Makhachev is Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s successor in every sense of the world. The reigning lightweight champ, not only started his martial arts journey with ‘The Eagle’, and has a similar fighting style, but he is on his way to becoming as dominant a champ as Nurmagomedov.

The latter, of course, is perhaps the most dominant champ in MMA history, capable of unflinchingly walking through his opponents’ before (seemingly inevitably) mauling him with his raw strength and excellent grappling skills after taking them down. But, despite their similarities, Nurmagomedov is considered one of the greatest ever, a status that Makhachev has yet to achieve. However, there is one area where the protege is clearly ahead of the former champ.

Islam Makhachev manages a feat of strength Khabib fails at

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev began their martial arts journey under the former’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who was a former Combat Sambo coach in the Russian Army. Since coming to America after joining the UFC a decade ago, both joined the storied American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) gym in California, headed by Javier Mendez.

Mendez, of course, is very close to both men and commands enormous respect from both superstars (and indeed from the rest of the Dagestanis at AKA) due to Dagestani cultural norms where elders and teachers are given enormous respect. Which does not stop the coach and his student from engaging in some light ribbing. A clear illustration of this is a recent clip of them doing the rounds of MMA internet.

The video shows Mendez asking his famous ward “Khabib! Can you do a two finger pushup?” To which Khabib humorously responded with “Yes. Next life,” admitting to the coach that he cannot.

A disappointed Mendez then says “Islam can do it, watch. Tell me what you think,” as the camera pans to Makhachev, who proceeds to do the two-finger pushups. Unsure why they are even necessary, Khabib sarcastically asks Mendez “Coach God give me five finger why I have to do only two?”

Which points to Mendez points out that the two-finger pushups are an impressive feat of strength and would prove Khabib was as strong as Makhachev. “To show you’re Superman like Islam,” the coach said. While Khabib may not have been able to do the pushups, Makhachev may be on the cusp of another achievement that his mentor already has under his belt.

Makhachev-McGregor possible if ‘Mac’ impresses at UFC 303

Islam Makhachev would be interested in fighting Conor McGregor next, according to the champ’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz. Not that he needs to have reaffirmed that since Makhachev has already said that one would have “to be stupid to say no” to fighting MMA’s biggest-ever star.

The manager felt that if McGregor has an impressive performance in his upcoming UFC 303 bout against Michael Chandler on June 29, it may lead to a title shot for the Irishman. Abdelaziz told ‘Submission Radio’ in a recent interview that if McGregor asks the UFC for a Makhachev fight after defeating Chandler, the UFC may not have a choice but to say yes. For one very simple reason: money.

Given ‘Mac’s bad blood with Nurmagomedov and all his Dagestani clique (of which Makahchev is the most prominent member at the moment), plus the shots both McGregor and Makahchev take at each other, there is a readymade storyline for a mega-fight between the two.

To paraphrase the manager there is one thing Dana White and the UFC love more than anything, it is money. And if there is anything that one can be sure about a McGregor-Makhachev bout, it is that it will definitely make a lot of money.