“Khabib is Very Controlling” – UFC Legend Highlights Islam Makhachev’s ‘Big Problem’ in Moving Up to Welterweight

“Khabib’s already his controller. Like, whatever Khabib says, this dude’s doing,” Henry Cejudo joked last year while chatting with his co-host Kamaru Usman on his Pound4Pound podcast. The remark, made ahead of Islam Makhachev’s third title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, was lighthearted—given Cejudo’s strong relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his Dagestani team. But wasn’t the joke shrouded within reality?

After the passing of his father, the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in 2020, Khabib successfully stepped into his father’s role as a coach, guiding his MMA faithful in Dagestan. Under his leadership, fighters like Makhachev, his cousins Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov, and close friends like Belal Muhammad have flourished. However, after the current 155lbs champion successfully defended his title for the fourth time last month at UFC 311 against Renato Moicano, speculation about his next move has intensified.

With four title defenses under his belt, Islam Makhachev vehemently hinted at a move to the welterweight division, stating, “I don’t see much competition left in my division.” However, there is one complication. The intricate web of loyalty within mixed martial arts has never been more evident than in the case of Belal Muhammad, whose rise to welterweight supremacy is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Dagestan’s fighting dynasty. ‘Remember The Name’ isn’t merely another champion who occasionally crosses paths with Makhachev and the Nurmagomedov circle–he’s become an integral thread in the fabric of their fight family despite not being a Dagestani.

In fact, last year, Muhammad traveled to Dagestan to train with them, further strengthening their relationship. This dynamic puts the lightweight champ in a tough spot. This bond transcends the conventional parameters of training partnerships and is rooted in the principles established by the late Abdulmanap, who viewed fighting excellence as inseparable from brotherhood and faith. The connection runs deeper than shared training sessions or technical exchanges; it’s embedded in daily prayers, communal meals, and the kind of unwavering loyalty that has defined Team Khabib’s approach since their earliest days in the mountains of Dagestan.

This raises the question: Will ‘The Eagle’, who has always maintained strict control over his team, allow Makhachev to fight Muhammad for the welterweight title? According to UFC legend Michael Bisping, Nurmagomedov won’t let that happen. In his latest YouTube video, Bisping explained, “I think we are going to see this because Belal Muhammad won’t fight Islam. And I think the main reason is because Khabib Nurmagomedov probably wouldn’t allow it.

“Khabib is very controlling of who he allows into his gym. I have heard stories and I have seen clips where he can’t believe it, if somebody steps in, if they come onto the mats, they share training tips, techniques, and just a methodology on how they prepare for a fight, then of course, they become brothers and you can’t allow anyone in […] And I don’t think he would allow Islam and Belal to face each other anyway. So the theory of Islam stepping up to 170, there’s a big, big problem with that because of Khabib. Because they have trained together.”

Despite ‘Remember The Name’ not being from Dagestan and coming from a Palestinian-American background, it is their shared Islamic faith that has brought these two fighters together, bridging the gap between their different worlds. Although the 170lbs champ has a different coach, he always seizes the opportunity to train with ‘Team Khabib’.

Out of respect for Khabib Nurmagomedov, Belal Muhammad is willing to vacate his 170lbs belt and move up to the middleweight division. But here’s the catch: There is another fighter who could stand in the way of Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight. Who could it be?

Top Comment by Salam

They are brother’s and if khabib is stopping Islam in anything then It will be a reason for everything…

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Usman Nurmagomedov rules out the potential Islam Makhachev vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov fight

There is growing belief that the undefeated Kazakh sensation, Shavkat Rakhmonov, is poised to become the welterweight champion, either by dethroning Belal Muhammad or, more likely, after the 170lbs champion moves up to the 185lbs division. This would set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between Rakhmonov and Makhachev, while the American’s potential departure, many see ‘Nomad’ as the natural heir to the welterweight title.

However, Usman Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s teammate and Bellator 155lbs champion, has dismissed any possibility of a fight between the 155lbs champion and Shavkat Rakhmonov. The reason lies in the shared cultural and demographic ties between Dagestan and Kazakhstan, which could create unnecessary tension between the two regions.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, Usman explained, “No, no, you don’t want that, because we’re from, uh, Russia, and our brothers are like Kazakh people now, like… and I know, of course, people don’t understand this, but I understand. Like when two guys from very close countries fight, it gets crazy. They begin fighting like crazy, even inside the country. Like, this is something I don’t like.”

So fans will have to wait and see what happens ahead. After all, Makhachev has been waiting to dominate another division.

What are your thoughts on Michael Bisping’s comments? Do you believe Khabib Nurmagomedov has significant influence over Islam Makhachev’s future divisional move in the Octagon, or is it simply a rumor that ‘The Eagle’ doesn’t have that much control? Share your opinion below.