For the first time since his title crowning in 2022, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance on fight night.
Makhachev was long touted as a sure-fire successor to his mentor upon “The Eagle’s” retirement from active competition following a third successful defense of the 155-pound gold back in 2020.
And the Dagestani completed the journey laid out for him by his coaches and teammates with Khabib close by, submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. That began the reign of Makhachev, but it also signaled the end of something.
Months later, as Makhachev prepared to meet a test from below in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib announced that he would be stepping back from cornering members of his team.
While he’s remained visible in some fight camps and has still lent a helping hand, the Russian legend has stayed true to his words and not appeared in a corner since.
That, however, comes to an end this weekend at UFC 302.
“News, ‘Eagle’ is landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told UFC cameras during fight week. “He’s gonna be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner (coaches), brother, friend.”
It’s fight week #ufc302 @MAKHACHEVMMA pic.twitter.com/3m6NkZviWE
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 28, 2024
Fans React To Khabib’s Confirmed Corner Return At UFC 302: ‘Bet All Your Money On Makhachev’
Unsurprisingly, the announcement of Khabib’s corner return saw many members of the MMA community flock to social media to give their thoughts.
Given Khabib’s history with Poirier, which saw him submit “The Diamond” in their unification title clash back in 2019, as well as the veteran’s renowned coaching abilities, plenty suggested that more odds just got stacked against the challenger in Newark.
There are some, though, who predict that Khabib’s presence inside the Prudential Center on fight night will spur the underdog on and provide added motivation. Only time will tell…
It’s over for The Diamond 💎 Great career but time to hang it up! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— FARHAN (@lamFarhan) May 28, 2024
https://twitter.com/LakazMMA/status/1795676534923280554
DP announced gamer in his corner and you guys think it was a coincidence Khabib returned pic.twitter.com/Q2Y0YC9gxK
— m (@Tarticle21) May 29, 2024
Khabib only comes in the Mackachev corner when there is a legit LW contender. He didn't take Volk seriously. #MMATwitter
— UFC Boss💎 (@FightfanSavage) May 29, 2024
With Khabib in his corner, Islam’s attributes are easily multiplied by 100.
Islam can end this fight any way he wants, Dustin still an all time great tho. #UFC302 https://t.co/MvNL6mEwx1— Abdullah Israr (@abdullahisrar24) May 29, 2024
Bet all your money on Makhachev this weekend lmfao Khabib in his corner I’m Lowkey nervous
— Lotus (@ThisShitTrashx9) May 29, 2024
must be so annoying that you have a fight coming up, and all people can talk about is khabib being in your corner. https://t.co/leNiVYuOwq
— 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖜𝖓 (@shawnsafk) May 29, 2024
Sorry poerier ur chances just got even smaller Islam different with khabib in his corner https://t.co/LO0hUBZFcA
— Mr.MakeItHappen🍫 (@bhocklate2824) May 29, 2024
Khabib being in Islam’s corner is going to fire up Dustin even more, let’s get it 💎
— Britt Niven 💎 (@brittnivss) May 29, 2024
My homies know I’ve been wanting Khabib back in Islams corner since last year… but the timing of this considering he’s fighting Dustin next has me like 🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/iVKHWfaoBq
— Dime 💎 (@queenT_98) May 29, 2024
Looks like we got Khabib in Islams corner… it’s gona be a long day for The Diamond 😭😭😭😭 #ufc302 https://t.co/VXCgPsMPoF
— S36🃏 (@shaqxii) May 29, 2024
Dustin can have his shorts… Islam has corner Khabib this weekend
— Jake 🫎 (@J_Moose7) May 28, 2024
