Since Islam Makhachev became the UFC lightweight champion, he has been constantly compared to his coach and friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
When Khabib Nurmagomedov ruled the lightweight division and dominated every fighter in his path, it was hard to imagine another fighter finding equal success.
Despite this, Islam Makhachev has carried on Nurmagomedov's legacy and looks every bit as dominant as 'The Eagle', constantly drawing comparisons to his old training partner and friend.
Ahead of his title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, Makhachev has the opportunity to overtake Khabib and three other lightweights by breaking the lightweight title defense record.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Arman Tsarukyan explains why Makhachev is a different fighter than Khabib
As Tsarukyan looks to continue the 155-pound division's trend of dethroning the champion in three title defenses, he has even enlisted the help of the only man to ever beat Makhachev.
“Ahalkalakets” was extremely complimentary towards Khabib, whom he called his lightweight GOAT.
Tsarukyan admitted that he took inspiration from Khabib early in his career after his friend told him to watch his highlights. The 28-year-old stated that after watching Khabib, he decided to take the fight.
Despite this, he disagrees with the idea that Makhachev and Khabib are similar fighters and has explained why they are different.
“Yes, if you defeat Islam, you defeat Khabib's plan,” he began to explain in an interview with TNT Sports.
“Islam is a new version of Khabib, he is more complete than Khabib, but Khabib can wrestle better, his ground-and-pound is much better, on the ground Khabib is one of the best,” Tsarukyan continued.
Khabib shocked the world in 2020 when he retired from the sport following a win over Justin Gaethje. The Armenian has admitted that a fight against Khabib was one of his dreams.
“Yes for sure (I wanted to fight Khabib), it's a dream fight,” he admitted.
Tsarukyan would like to complete a training camp with Khabib Nurmagomedov
With Khabib being one of Tsarukyan's idols and someone he has based his game on despite his looming fight against Makhachev, the 28-year-old has admitted he would like to train in a camp under Khabib.
Stranger things have happened in MMA and recently former rivals Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker put their feud to rest and seemingly became friends after training together.
Tsarukyan has made it clear that if he wins the title at UFC 311, he only wants to fight for money in the future, claiming his legacy will already be established after beating Makhachev.
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