Khabib Nurmagomedov Hints a Comeback for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302; LW Champ Drops 5 Word Response

Khabib Nurmagomedov has yet again sent waves of excitement throughout the fighting community. He officially took his leave from the world of mixed martial arts, after making sure that his student-cum-friend, Islam Makhachev became the champion and defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski. The sorrowful demise of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, also played a huge role in pushing the fighter towards retirement. However, there are talks that ‘The Eagle’ has returned as the Dagestani Team’s head coach, prior to Makhachev’s bout at UFC 302.

Makhachev’s IG story flaunts a happy reunion with the former champ. But this isn’t the only time people hinted at Nurmagomedov’s return. Previously, Javier Mendez, the Dagestani warrior’s former coach, sleekly revealed that Nurmagomedov might be missing the action he experienced while fighting. Without a doubt, the return of ‘The Eagle’ would be nothing but exciting.

Hinting at Khabib Nurmagomedov coaching again

Recently, a post on Instagram has been going viral. The post focused on a few pictures where the Dagestani team was training for their upcoming fights in Kislovodsk, Russia. One of the pictures showed Nurmagomedov securing Makhachev’s gloves. In another picture, the 35-year-old can be spotted running with Khabib Nabiev and Ikram Aliskerov. 

However, things got exciting as the former champ took to Instagram stories and shared the post. Tagging Makhachev, his caption translated, “The younger one is completely focused and preparing for battle.” 

Soon after Nurmagomedov posted his story, the current UFC lightweight champion reshared the story. It was his words that carried more emotions. The caption read, “Head coach in the camp.”

Undeniably, the mere presence of a legend like Nurmagomedov can boost the morale of the athletes in the training camp. But his personally coaching Makhachev and supporting him from the corner could put Poirier at a disadvantage.

The former champ’s coach also hinted at the return

Javier Mendez, the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy recently shared a picture on Instagram that showed a fighter leaning on the cage fence. However, it was the caption that caught most fans’ eyes.

Mendez captioned, “I wonder if ‘the Eagle’ [Khabib Nurmagomedov] misses this feeling? I say he does, but once your time is up like my time when I retired. The best is just remember your memories and cherish your accomplishments because time always wins and we must move on to the next challenge in our journey of life On to the next [Eagle] and coach journeys ”

Four years into retirement from being a mixed martial arts athlete, it is highly unlikely that Nurmagomedov would step into the cage to fight. However, hints thrown around, and his appearance next to Makhachev before the fated fight against ‘The Diamond’, has raised suspicion about his return as a coach. 

Without a doubt, the champ himself wished for Nurmagomedov to corner him at UFC 302. Undeniably, his experience as a fighter against Poirier would come in handy for the team to secure another win. But would ‘The Eagle’ bless the audience and his team with their wish? Would the lightweight champion successfully defend his title this time? Only time can tell.