UFC 330: Islam Makhachev Won, Ex-Teammate Who Trained With Him And Khabib Said The Latter Was Better

Islam Makhachev proved why he's hailed as a champion. Islam Makhachev defeated Ian Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 330, which took place in Philadelphia. From the beginning, Islam Makhachev dominated with his strong ground action. Even though Garry showed his skills midway through the match, Islam Makhachev defended his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry. With his skills on display in his 17th straight win, Islam not only defended his welterweight title but also set a new record by breaking Anderson Silva's longest win streak in UFC history.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev's former teammate feels one among the two is 'something different'

Ahead of the same, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who shares a close bond with Islam, shared an emotional message. For the unversed, Khabib Nurmagomedov's late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, trained Islam Makhachev from a young age in Dagestan. Well, according to one of the UFC icons who trained with them, revealed before UFC 330, one of them is 'something different'. Khabib retired in 2020, after his marvellous win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. 

However, Daniel Cormier, who trained with them, felt that Khabib was something different, even though the duo's skills are seriously unmatched. Speaking on a UFC 330 preview show, Daniel said that he had seen Khabib and Islam spar. 

He feels Nurmagomedov was something different, and he never had a second thought about Khabib winning during the high-stakes matches. Stating that Khabib would definitely be the champion if he had played, Daniel said:  

"Honestly, I’ve seen those guys spar, and it was always so fun. Sparring is different, but I’m telling you, Khabib was something different. He fought Justin Gaethje, walked him down and beat him up. Dustin Poirier had him in a guillotine—I never for one second thought he would tap. He had something different that you can’t teach. I don’t know who would’ve beaten him. Khabib Nurmagomedov would still be the UFC lightweight champion today if he stayed in fighting. That is how good he was.”

On the other hand, Daniel, speaking about the upcoming UFC 330 on YouTube, said it was a tough match for both Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry. The former mixed-MMA artist felt that whoever brought strong dominance on the ground could eventually win the title, and that's exactly what happened. Makhachev had dominant ground action, including a headkick knockdown. Even though Garry fought back, Makhachev, with his strategies, which he executed fully in the fourth and fifth rounds, kept the former on the mat and won the title again.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's message to Islam Makhachev before UFC 330

Makhachev got his full support from Khabib ahead of UFC 330. In his post, Khabib showed his pride in Islam along with respect for the opposition. He revealed how someone first learns to fight and then performs as an amateur, followed by signing up for the UFC, then winning titles and breaking records, and that to reach the end goal there should be hard work, patience and discipline, and Islam ticked all the boxes. His exact words were:

"At first you try to learn how to fight, then you perform as an amateur, then you have a goal to go pro someday, then you have the goal to sign up for UFC, then you want to be a champion there, after a while you need a second belt and now you’re breaking records. It’s all called hardwork, patience and discipline.”

While Khabib was proud of Islam and showed this through his message, in which he also mentioned his achievements, he didn't in any way deny the serious challenge that might come from his opponent, Garry. To mention, before reaching UFC 330, Makhachev had already matched Anderson Silva’s UFC record for the longest winning streak with 16 straight wins. At the end of UFC 330, he broke the record and led with 17 straight wins.

What do you think about Islam Makhachev's win at UFC 330?

PC: Insta

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