Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Islam Makhachev will surpass him as the greatest UFC lightweight champion of all time, suggesting the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) standout will defend his title at least five times before retiring.
Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) expects his prized student to rule the lightweight throne for three years before the sport passes him by, admitting that ‘nobody’, not even the pride of Dagestan, ‘can stay on top forever’.
“I think he needs at least five,” Nurmagomedov told Red Corner MMA (h/t MMA Fighting’s Drake Riggs) in a recent interview. “Maybe six. That would be ideal.