Back to the MMA Newsfeed

Manager says Islam Makhachev is ‘a better version’ of Khabib Nurmagomedov

Streaking UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev is being hyped up by his manager as a ‘better version’ of Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of his upcoming lightweight clash against Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Khabib and Makhachev, doesn’t think the latter is quite there just yet but firmly believes Makhachev is the future of the lightweight division.

“I think he’s going to be one of the greatest fighters ever,” Abdelaziz said of Makhachev during a recent interview with TMZ Sports (h/t BJPenn.com). “I think he’s a better version of Khabib. I truly believe he is.