Khabib Nurmagomedov will be a big part of Saturday’s UFC main event when he corners his longtime training partner Islam Makhachev against Thiago Moises. And for the former UFC lightweight champion, the relationship extends far beyond simple friendship.
Before Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap passed away due to COVID-related complications last year, he told Nurmagomedov that once he walked away from MMA, Nurmagomedov’s next focus would have to be to ensure that Makhachev reached the same heights as UFC champion. That’s a promise Nurmagomedov has taken seriously since his retirement in October 2020, and as Makhachev approaches his 30th birthday and first UFC main event, Nurmagomedov knows a pivotal crossroads awaits on Saturday.